Category: Thame news

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame, Between 09:00 – 12:00 on Wednesday (20/7).

A property in Churchill Crescent was burgled. Entry was gained by smashing a window on the back door.

Offenders stole a camera and purse.

If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please call the police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

OXFORDSHIRE’S council leaders, who have been in discussion about a possible unitary local authority, have issued a joint statement in the light of the new national government. The statement reads:

“With a new Prime Minister and new Secretary of State now in place and a number of pressing economic and policy issues to work through at national level, we recognise that it is sensible to take the time to understand how the government intends to take forward devolution and local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and other areas, before presenting further proposals for reforming public services and changes to council structures in the county.

“Following discussions with civil servants last week, all the Oxfordshire councils have agreed to work together to discuss areas of common ground, assess potential options and establish whether we can agree a way forward building on the work we have both done to date. We have agreed to postpone publication of both the Grant Thornton and PWC studies, and to pause plans for consultation until these plans have been jointly developed.

Our aim has always been to seek investment in housing and transport infrastructure; to improves skills training and develop the local economy. This investment is needed if we are to reach our potential, and therefore agreeing a way forward with government is a high priority for all of us.”

A public meeting is to be held in Thame to discuss the potential imposition of an extra 600 houses on Thame, as part of the New Local Plan 2032, currently out for consultation.

Thame Town Council is hosting the meeting which will be held at St Mary’s Church, Thame at 7:30pm on Thursday, August 4, 2016, to which all residents and businesses of Thame are invited.

The Local Planning Authority for Thame, South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC), has come up with its ‘Preferred Options’ for the New Local Plan for development in the town up to the year 2032. The new plan will replace the Local Plan 2026, and if adopted will require the Thame Neighbourhood Plan to be revised and the new plan adopted by 2018 – a legal process for which there is no provision for as yet!

More retail and more employment land too!

Those preferred options include a suggestion of 600 additional new houses for Thame, along with 1500 square metres (net sales area) of additional convenience/food retail space, and an extra 2.5 hectares of employment land, on top of all that is already provided for in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, as adopted in 2013. And a nearby reservoir.

A growing Haddenham

At the same time, the Vale of Aylesbury is consulting on its Local Plan proposals (VALP) which include an additional, approximately 5,500 new dwellings in and near Haddenham, which will have consequences for Thame, given its proximity to the local services of the centre of Thame.

The Town Council will be responding to both consultations (by the SODC deadline of 4:30pm on Friday, August 19, 2016, and the VALP deadline of Monday, September 5, 2016).

Thame Town Council has called the Public Meeting for a variety of reasons, including;

• To provide additional specific information for the residents and businesses of Thame on what is being suggested.
• To encourage all residents and businesses of Thame to respond to either or both consultations.
• To help inform the consultation responses that the Town Council will itself make, as the elected body, on behalf of the town.

‘Thame has enough!’

The Town Council’s initial view is that: “The adopted Thame Neighbourhood Plan already provides all that is needed to ensure Thame’s continuing vibrancy and vitality. Even if the defined additional needs are real, there are more appropriate (and sustainable) places for their delivery in South Oxfordshire. But the Town Council is prepared to be persuaded otherwise. Can Thame cope with what is being proposed? Would some or all of what is being proposed be of benefit? The Town Council is keen to hear as many people’s views as possible, and we are sure that the Planning Authorities are also keen to hear those views.

“We must ultimately all work together,” states the council, “to ensure that South Oxfordshire grows in a sustainable way for the benefit of its existing community, and this Public Meeting is a step towards that.

“We do hope that many people will attend the public meeting to both listen to what is being proposed and to express their views.”

LES Stocker MBE, HonAssocRCVS, the founder of the famous Wild-life rescue centre, St Tiggywinkles, in Haddenham, Bucks, has died.

A statement on St Tiggywinkes’s website announcing Les’s sudden death, reads:

“It is with great shock and immense sadness that we announce the passing of Les Stocker. Les passed away after a short and sudden illness on the return journey of his holiday.

“First and foremost, Les leaves his wife Sue, son Colin, daughter in-law Verity and two beloved grand-daughters Amelia and Alexia. Our thoughts are with them, his two sisters and rest of his family at this very difficult time.

“The loss will be greatly felt to the world of wildlife. Les was a steadfast ambassador, achieving his goal to turn wildlife rehabilitation into a profession, to have it recognised by other professionals and to ensure wherever possible, that all casualties have the best treatment in order to return back to their natural habitat.

“Over the lifetime of his work Les has inspired other individuals and organisations to rise to the challenge of rehabilitating wildlife. In addition to working very long hours hands-on, he wrote books, papers and attended conferences to establish the importance and furtherance of rehabilitation. His tireless dedication has changed the way the world sees and deals with sick and injured wildlife. He has built an incredible organisation, one that will strive to continue his legacy. Amongst his many achievements were an MBE, being honoured by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as an Honorary Associate, the title of Rolex Laureate, two bestselling books, a regular newspaper column, he was an invited member of the New York Academy of Science and was widely recognised as one of the World’s leading authorities on British wildlife.

“The wonderful team at Tiggywinkles will continue through these sad times. As a Charity with a family feel, the loss of this truly remarkable man will be immeasurable.”

The centre is currently open as usual, but will close for the day of Les’s funeral. Keep an eye on the website for updates. http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/