Category: Thame news

IN the latest of Thame.Net’s ‘Take on Thame’ opinion features, Bob Austin, of the East Thame Residents Association, writes about the possible threat posed by increased housing numbers proposed by South Oxfordshire District Council, on the Thame Neighbourhood Plan: (Reminder: The views expressed in the following are not neccesarily those of Thame.Net)

“The Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP) is facing a further threat, this time from increased housing numbers demanded from the new SODC Local Plan 2031. It is vital that as many people as possible make their opinions clear to SODC.

Last Year SODC produced a document entitled ‘Issues & Scope’ that set out options for locations for additional housing provision. Now it has produced another document called ’Refined Options’ containing interim proposals to locate an additional 3600 homes for SODC needs as well as some 3000 homes for overspill from Oxford City.

It would be fair to say that the launch of the ‘Refined Options’ has been so low key as to be almost invisible and inaudible.

How does this affect Thame? SODC are recommending concentrating the bulk of this extra housing in the Market Towns and Large Villages as well as the Science Vale (around Culham & Berinsfield). In practice it means that Thame will be hit hard unless we defend it vigorously and ask for a fairer distribution. SODC are going for the ‘low hanging fruit’ again instead of a more balanced approach.

In the SODC Local Plan 2027 (the basis for our Neighbourhood Plan) the Market Towns contributed 79% of new requirements but only had 44 % of the then existing housing stock. Smaller villages, with 26% of the existing housing stock, were not required to contribute anything at all. In other words the demands on the Market Towns were disproportionate to all other categories. Thame itself was required to supply 775 houses compared to Wallingford’s 555 and Henley’s 400 despite all three towns being of comparable size.

The imbalance of this allocation will again be repeated, or made worse, if the principles of the ‘Refined Options’ are applied. This will be compounded by a failure to take account of ‘windfall’ development in Thame (windfall is piecemeal development within the town that is not included in the Local Plan). Since 2011 Thame has had approximately 300 ‘windfall’ homes built or approved. They must not be ignored.

We do not know how many additional houses Thame might be required to take but if the same proportion is maintained as in the 2027 Local Plan it will be another 350; it could be better or much worse.

It is vital that as many people as possible express their view. You can do this by going to the SODC website: www.southoxon.gov.uk/newlocalplan. If you need further information please contact your local residents’ association.

Make your voice heard and defend Thame! SODC are influenced by the volume of responses but time is short. The consultation closes on April 2.”

Bob Austin
East Thame Residents Association

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary (non-dwelling) in Thame, overnight between Saturday (21/03) and Sunday (22/03), when offender(s) forced entry to a workshop at a property in Chinnor road. A buggy and a power saw were taken.

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, is asked to call the police on 101.

Alternatively, anyone who may have any information but wishes to remain anonymous, can 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.

A Lawyer from Thame is facing a possible jail sentence after fare dodging to the tune of £23,000, between Haddenham and Thame Parkway and Marylebone stations, for two and a half years.

Australian born Dr Peter Barnett, commuted the 40 miles without buying a valid Chiltern Rail ticket, but simply touched in with an Oyster card at Marylebone. He has now agreed to pay back £23,000, after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and will be sentenced next month.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

According to Metro, Barnett was stopped at Marylebone last year and said that he had only travelled from Wembley. He then apparently, went to the excess fares window, but ran off when suspicions were roused. The next day he handed himself in and British Transport Police found he had been dodging fares since April 2012.

SOURCE: Metro

A challenging expedition, volunteering in the community, undertaking a physical activity, and developing new skills and interests, was rewarded recently when students from Lord Williams’s school, Thame, were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards from London 2012, canoe slalom gold medallist, Tim Baillie.

The presentation evening was opened by Assistant Headteacher, Rob Brooks, who introduced the guest speaker and congratulated the 136 students who received their award. Tim showed the students some film of him participating in London 2012, followed by a motivating speech about the many years of hard work and preparation it had taken to achieve Olympic success. Tim encouraged the students to adopt a “do your best” mentality and to enjoy participating in sport in the future.

Headteacher of Lord Williams’s School, David Wybron, added: “136 students received their Bronze and Silver awards this evening. This represents a great achievement for our students, not just because of the character-building participation in expeditions, or the need to master a new skill but also the commitment to do something for others, which is part of their community service. We are proud of their achievements. I would also like to thank all the teachers and parents who devote so much time to help them achieve such a special award.”

Students were also congratulated by Oxfordshire County Council’s DofE Manager, Richard Aldridge, who added: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides young people with a unique set of skills for life and work, so
it’s a credit to the school that they enable so many of their pupils to access and complete the award. It was great to see so many parents at the presentation evening supporting the school and seeing young people receive their award.”

This year a further 145 students at Lord Williams’s are pursuing their Bronze Award, 35 students are working at Silver level and 28 students are working towards their Gold Award. David Wybron concluded: “This would not be possible without the continued support of local volunteers and a wide range of community organisations, clubs and societies that welcome the young people into their regular activities.”

IN its response to a consultation document about the District Council’s latest Local Plan for housing provision to 2031, Thame Town Council is challenging the draft plan’s suggested option for additional housing for Thame. The town council will tell South Oxfordshire District Council that the assumption that housing growth of the market towns is necessary to maintain the vibrancy of those towns, is wrong.

“With particular reference to Thame,” the town council will say, “… there is no evidence that further growth is necessary to maintain vibrancy and, indeed, such may well harm the built heritage, character and structure of the town. ”

Speaking at Tuesday’s council meeting (18/03), about the town council’s response of “No comment” to a section of the Consultation on Chinnor’s future,  Cllr David Dodds said that, in his opinion, the effect of considerable housing growth in Chinnor, would have an effect on Thame, particularly an influx of extra students to Lord Williams’s School.

The town council’s full Draft response to the ‘Local Plan 2031 Refined Options’, to give the document its full name, can be read here: http://tiny.cc/l7urvxResponses.pdf and to make a personal response to the draft consultation on the options, go to: http://tiny.cc/mzurvx