A GROUP of Thame residents who supported a proposal for a large, edge-of-town Tesco in Thame, have today responded to the news that planning permission has been refused by South Oxfordshire District Council.
The group’s representative, Rachel Lester, today said: “In our view the decision made was not looking to the long-term future of the town and its actual residents, but more the kudos of its shopkeepers and for their benefit rather than considering the bigger, all round picture of those that actually live here and have daily
needs, both in their shopping requirements and job opportunities, and for its growing population.
“The current supermarkets in the town won’t meet demands and the roads into the town centre won’t meet demands.”
She added: “We agree Thame is a unique town which is why it should be kept so – by maintaining the centre as it is with no more supermarket development within – by building a supermarket on the outer edge would help preserve it as it is and detract any increase in traffic congestion and parking issues which will simply be to its detriment, especially if the Council wishes to build on its attractiveness as a ‘jewel’ for tourists – instead of its ‘heart being saved’ it will simply choke itself!”
Whilst recognising that the development might reduce car journeys out of Thame, and would offer more choice to shoppers, the Planning Officer had, he said, decided that on balance, it (the supermarket) would have a significantly adverse effect on the ‘vibrancy and vitality’ of Thame by diverting trade gained from linked shopping away from the town centre.
In recommending refusal, he also cited a net loss of employment space from the site at Kingsmeade Business Park, currently occupied by DAF and other businesses.
Cllr Helena Fickling, speaking for Thame Town Council who objected to the plan, said that Thame is a ‘real’ town with a low vacancy rate compared to other, similar towns, and a flourishing weekly market, whose traders had seen other towns’ local shops’ trade taken by supermarkets. She referred to a report by Carter Jonas which had reported that the proposal was for twice the amount of Convenience retail space than was needed to meet an identified need.
Sue Gilbert, representing Thame Residents Associations, referred to a petition with over 3,500 signatures, including the majority of retailers in the town, who were against the plan, seeing it as a threat to the town centre shops and the market. She said that Tesco had ‘under-stated’ its projected Turnover and that its evidence to try to demonstrate a need was ‘inconsistant’.
Chris Lindop, who runs a kitchen design shop in the town, spoke of how he had looked at other towns in the A40 corridor to set up his business, and that Thame had stood out above the others. “Thame has a cohesive town centre, full occupancy and, you can come any day of the week and it is busy; people are moving around making pedestrian trips; there is a buzz about the place. Thame is historic and distinctive.”
Peggy Long, who used to be the town Traffic Warden, told the planning committee: “Just because we use a supermarket elsewhere, doesn’t mean we don’t use shops iin the town centre and not everyone wants to shop on line. There are not enough parking places in the town. a Tesco would relieve parking in the town.
“Please give Thame the chance to provide something for all pockets,” she pleaded.
Cllr David Dodds criticised the Planning Officer’s report for omitting to mention the fact that the proposed plan did not include any staff parking, and that it had ignored the ‘great inconvenience’ and ‘disturbance’ to the residents of Cotmore Gardens and Towersey Gardens.
“Thame town centre is a jewel that has won many awards recently,” he said, “It is precious and we must protect it!”
Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green also referred to the town centre’s ‘Rising Star’ Award in the Great British High Street competition, and that it had been voted the second best place to live in Britain. “Our High Street depends on independent retailers,” she said. “The town has great transport links and anyone who wants to visit another big supermarket can do so by car or bus. Yes, we will be getting more and more housing and we will need another supermarket but not one of this size.
“The Thame Neighbourhood Plan will soon be going through a review and it will be up to the residents to decide when and if we need another supermarket. Above all, we must ensure the vitality of the town centre.”
Cllr David Nimmo Smith said that Henley had a Tesco and it continued to thrive, so he didn’t go along with the recommendation in that regard, but he said: “This is not the right site. It will mean the loss of traditional employment which will not help wealth creation.”
Cllr Bland however said that parking had NOT been made easier in Henley, and that the town had lost three butchers, a greengrocers and other shops and that its town centre did suffer for a long time. “Your other three smaller supermarkets are doing well. We cannot put a nail in the coffin of this beautiful town,” he concluded.
The Planning committee voted unanimously to reject the plan, which included a fuel station.
