9 apartments at 6 - 8 High Street, Thame

New shops and flats on the High Street

The application sought to partially demolish and redevelop a High Street building for new retail units and nine flats, extending to the rear.

“Redevelopment, including partial demolition of existing building and construction of new building to rear, for a mixed use development including commercial units (Use Class E) and nine new apartments.”

“The application was for permission for the redevelopment and extensions of 6 to 8 High Street to provide new retail units and nine new flats. The application was referred to the planning committee as objections were received, and due to South Oxfordshire District Council own the car park to the rear of the site, part of which falls within the red line area of the application site. Thame Town Council do not object to the application.”

Minutes

A courtyard and a new building to the rear

New ground-floor retail units would open onto a landscaped courtyard, with a new three-storey building to the south, a widened alleyway, and cycle and bin stores.

“As part of the application the existing ground floor frontage of the property would be redesigned, with the single larger retail unit divided into smaller commercial units. To the rear of the new commercial units, it was proposed that an open-air area would be constructed with a courtyard and landscaping.”

“To the south of the proposed courtyard, the existing building would be demolished and a new three-storey building constructed. This would accommodate commercial units on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the first and second floors.”

Minutes

Officers recommended approval

Officers found the design acceptable with no objections from specialist officers or highways, judged it not overdevelopment, and recommended approval subject to conditions.

“Officers were satisfied that the principle of the development and the design and form were considered acceptable. The application had not received any objections from the Council’s specialist officers with support from urban design, heritage, drainage, ecology, environmental heath, and forestry teams. Oxfordshire County Council Highways had not objected.”

“The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

Minutes

Residents raised overdevelopment concerns

A few residents objected over the size of the retail units, overdevelopment and pedestrian access during construction.

“A few letters of objection had been received from nearby residents, concerns related to the size of the proposed retail units, over development and access for pedestrians during the construction phase.”

Minutes

The project architect spoke

The project architect spoke in support of the application.

Members weighed parking against sustainability

Members raised concerns about the lack of parking, but accepted the car-free scheme suited its sustainable location, and agreed the scheme was a positive improvement to the town.

“The committee raised concerns over the lack of parking spaces for the development and were advised that the proposal was for a car free scheme and that it was within a sustainable location. Cycle storage was provided and there was good access to bus routes and amenities.”

“There was concern over the lack of parking spaces, however there was a general agreement that the location was sustainable and a car was not strictly necessary in this location.”

Minutes

Permission granted on a vote

A motion to approve the application was carried when put to the vote.

“A motion, moved and seconded, to approve planning application P25/S0868/FUL, was carried on being put to the vote.”

Minutes

Approved with multiple conditions

The application was approved subject to conditions covering landscaping, drainage, archaeology, noise and cycle parking, with amended wording for the drainage condition.

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/S0868/FUL subject to the following conditions and the amendment to the wording of condition15: Commencement 3 years – Full Planning Permission 2. Approved plans 3. Landscaping implementation 4. Integrated Biodiversity Enhancements (prior to slab level) 5. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan – 1 6. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan – 2 7. Construction Traffic Management (details required) 8. Cycle Parking Facilities 9.”

Minutes