09/01/13….Lack of green space, inadequate affordable housing & health facilities highlighted for Thame

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council formally adopted its Core Strategy 2027 Development Plan Document just before Christmas, on December 13, 2012, and includes some big ideas for Thame. The policy’s publication comes finally after extensive public consultations, hearings, re-draftings and an independent assessment by the planning inspectorate.

The introduction to the Thame section declares: “The strategy for Thame, in accordance with the vision and objectives, seeks to enhance the economic role of the town and make sure it continues its key role of providing employment opportunities and services.”

The issues the policy seeks to address relating to Thame include:

 Whilst the retail function of Thame is currently performing quite well, our Retail and Leisure Needs Assessment highlights the real risk that the continued expansion of competing centres such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Oxford will put pressure on Thame to maintain its market share. Thame needs to make sure it continues to perform well.

 Parking is a problem in the town centre, particularly on market days.

 Residents often raise the lack of leisure and community facilities as an issue.

 Some of the employment areas need upgrading. The Employment Land Review 101 noted that there was some deterioration and poor upkeep at Thame Industrial Estate, the depot and works on Rycote Lane, Station Yard and at the industrial site on Aylesbury Road.

 The need to identify the new services and facilities required to support development and when these should be in place. A number of the town?s facilities need improvement, for example health facilities and the fire station. Some of the services such as the secondary school are at or close to capacity and there may be an opportunity to explore alternative sites for some facilities. Opportunities for this can be explored in relation to the sites for housing development in line with community aspirations.

 The Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facility Assessment 102 showed there were areas for improvement and a striking deficiency of 13.4 hectares for parks and gardens.

 There is a need for more affordable housing. The Housing Needs Assessment indicated in 2008 that 317 households in need of affordable housing would like accommodation in Thame in the next three years. The main reasons for choosing Thame were the quality of the neighbourhood, to be nearer family and for employment purposes.

The full document and associated documents, maps etc can be found on SODC’s website at: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/core-strategy/adopted-core-strategy The section relevant to Thame specifically are pages 80- 85. (South Oxfordshire Core Strategy – second document down)