THE Chilterns Conservation Board has announced that leading UK environmentalist, Sue Holden, has been appointed as a Board member.
Sue Holden – Photo by Richard Cave Photography
In a statement today, the ‘Board said: “Sue has an impressive track record as a leader in the field of conservation. She is Chief Executive of Earthwatch Europe, an international environmental charity carrying out research into wildlife and conservation around the world, which is based in Oxford. Before that she spent nine years as the Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust and eight years with the National Trust.”
Sue lives on the edge of the Chilterns near Chinnor and says her love of her local countryside inspired her to join the Board: “I am keen to do my bit to care for the Chilterns AONB and help it flourish. I am lucky to have some beautiful, tranquil green spaces on my doorstep, especially the woodlands, and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues on the Board to achieve our aims of protecting and promoting the AONB,” she said.
The Chilterns Conservation Board was established by Parliament in 2004 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and helping people to understand and enjoy it. The Board has 27 members, drawn from local communities across the area, who bring valuable knowledge and expertise to the complex work of caring for an ancient landscape.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the M40 yesterday (25/1). At about 7.15pm, a silver BMW convertible crossed from the southbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 4 onto the northbound carriageway and collided with a black Renault Clio. Both vehicles then caught fire.
The driver of the Clio, a man believed to be in his sixties, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Clio, a woman, was taken to hospital but later died.
No formal identification has yet taken place and officers are working to establish the next of kin.
The motorway was closed in both directions for more than four hours.
A 32-year-old man from Ealing, London, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released on bail until February 11.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the vehicles prior to the incident is asked to contact investigating officer, PC Matt Diduca from Amersham Roads Policing on 101.
If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. (opens new window) No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THAME United responded in style on Saturday (24/01) to the end of their winning streak last week, with a confident and comfortable victory against Wootton Bassett Town at the ASM Stadium.
Mark West
Manager Mark West made a number of changes to the side beaten last week, with Jon Coverley, Alex Kedzierski and Connor McDonagh all coming in to the side. And despite the changes it was the visitors who started the brightest, albeit the first clear chance fell to United on five minutes when good inter-play between Ben Gray and Dan West saw McDonagh through, only for his effort on goal to go narrowly wide from an acute angle. However, United only had to wait another three minutes to take the lead. West, on the halfway line, hooked the ball over his shoulder, putting McDonagh through on goal who held off the retreating defender to confidently beat the keeper and score his first ever goal for United.
Opportunities then came and went for West and Matt Hall, before the lead was extended on 17 minutes. Ben Gray crossed from the right and McDonagh smashed a first time half volley in to the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. The visitors then created their first chance, with Matt Tapping doing well to hold on to a close range volley, before the lead was extended further on 33 minutes. Left-back, Matt Hall, hit a long cross in to the box that Ben Gray, getting across the front of his marker, headed confidently beyond the keeper. At 3-0 United were looking comfortable but Wootton Basset Town nearly scored just before halt time when a strike came back off the post, with Tapping able to gather the rebound.
It was game over three minutes in to the second half, with McDonagh completing his hat-trick with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box that curled beyond the keeper. United pushed for more, and another McDonagh effort was saved by the keeper before Ben Gray went close on 61 minutes, shortly after which the visitors hit the woodwork for the second time. For the remainder of the game, however, there was little action until the final minutes when Ellis Hercules was penalised for a challenge in the box and Steve Yeardley stepped up to secure a late consolation. The win pushes United back up to third in the table, before a trip to Reading Town next weekend.
TWO men were arrested for the offence of affray inside the Black Horse in Thame recently. They are currently on bail and are awaiting charges. The Thame neighbourhood Policing team are currently working to reducing ASB (Anti-social behaviour) and violence within the night time economy. The two men have been immediately placed on the Pubwatch scheme which excludes them from entering the majority of licence premises in Thame.
Image courtesy of Thames Valley Police – The driver of this van popped into Sainsbury’s for his lunch, returned with more than he bargained for…3 points & a fine!
As well as tackling ASB, other priorities for the neighbourhood team have been parking issues in Thame town centre and reducing rural crime. They have been monitoring parking in the town centre and say they have been ‘educating offending vehicle owners as well as issuing Fixed Penalty notices, and have been working closely with local land owners to combat illegal hare coursing and other poaching activities.
CHRISTOPHER Fensom, 28, of Westgte Court, Croft Road, Thame, has been convicted by Magistrates, of using an unlicenced vehicle on a public road, the A40, on November 1, 2014.
He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £68.34 Vehicle Excise licence back duty, as well as £90 costs.
SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council is removing mixed recycling bins from locations across the district, including from the car park at Thame Cattle Market, to help prevent fly-tipping.
The majority of people who responded to a consultation were in favour of removing the bins, says the district council. “They attract illegal fly-tipping and have become an eyesore. People regularly dump non-recyclable rubbish in and around the bins, which can contaminate the recycling, meaning it all sometimes has to go to landfill.
“The bins are no longer needed because residents can put recycling that doesn’t fit in their green wheelie bins out in clear bags or cardboard boxes next to them on their usual recycling day. Removing the bins will save the council around £20,000 a year.”
Cllr David Dodds, cabinet member for recycling and waste, said: “Residents can leave all of their recycling at the kerbside, even if it doesn’t fit in their wheelie bin, so there’s no longer any need for the bins in car parks. Our neighbours in the Vale removed their bins and there was no increase in fly-tipping elsewhere, so it shouldn’t cause us any issues.”
DUE to the fire at South Oxfordshire District Council offices last week, the completion of the consultation process for the amended planning application for the proposed housing development at The Elms, and changes to Elms Park next door, has been delayed. Therefore Thame Town Council’s meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, January 27 at 6.30pm to discuss these amended planning applications has been postponed. The amended plans are available to view on SODC’s website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P14/S2176/FUL and a copy of the paper version, at Thame Town Hall’s Information Centre.
THE Thame Good Neighbour initiative, in partnership with Thame Town Council and Sharing Life Trust, is set to launch in March and everyone is being invited to be part of it. If you would like to help vulnerable people in your community by carrying out everyday tasks such as picking up some milk or mowing the lawn, then get in touch on 01844 212833.
THAME’s cows are due for make-over, and need your help! Back in 2012,the 21st Century Thame Partnership provided a herd of life-size fibreglass, Holstein-Friesian cows as mobile notice boards to promote events and activities in the town, and as a way of creating interest for tourists and to encourage business growth and interaction with local residents.
In May this year a number of the famous Thames cows are to be repainted, and residents are invited to play a part in this exciting, creative process.
The organisers of this Community Arts project are looking for budding artists, designers or local people with something to say and a sense of humour, to help design a new look for our black and white cows. The new colour scheme should reflect the town of Thame in any way you like, its geography, businesses, history and its people.
By attending one of the three workshops that will be held by lead artist Stuart Roper, over the next three months and find out what can be achieved with a little lateral thinking and a sense of humour.
Workshop dates and locations:
16th February 7.30pm – 8.30pm 42A Upper High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2DW 01494 670372 info@artsmartuk.com
19th February 7.30pm – 8.30pm Church Rd, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3AJ 01844 217308
28th February 2.30pm – 3.30pm Thame Library, 3 North Street, Thame OX9 3BH 01844 212288 thame.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk Please note this event is specifically for Children
A detailed planning application from Bloor Homes, for a housing development in Oxford Road, Thame (site F), has failed to satisfy Thame Town Council and some nearby residents. Before the council considered a report from its Planning Consultant Jake Collinge, Mr Barry Yates, who lives in Cuttle Brook Gardens, and is the Chair of the Oxford Road Residents Association, spoke about some of the concerns.
Last year’s flooding (Feb 2014) Ford bridge on Oxford Rd looking West across Cuttle Brook field towards Thame by-pass
At a meeting of Thame Town Council on Tuesday eventing (20/01/15), Mr Yates told councillors that whilst he personally had no major reservations about the plans, and felt that it generally fell within the context of Thame Neighbourhood Plan, residents of Town Farm Close were upset, and objected to Bloor Homes disregarding their request to move the allotments to behind their houses. He added that there were other concerns associated with flooding, sewerage, traffic and access and pedestrian crossings.
“These issues have been recognized by Bloor Homes in their Statement of Community Engagement items 4 & 5,” said Mr Yates. “But their responses, items 8 & 9, to justify their position are not wholly satisfactory, and need addressing by the District Council.”
FLOODING
He went on: “In their planning application S2, Bloor Homes state that there is NO flood risk elsewhere. Glanville’s Flood Assessment Risk concludes that the proposed SUDS (drainage system) takes into account climate change and will ensure the risk does not increase in the River Thame & Cuttle Brook. This is debatable and remains a concern for us residents living on the edge of Cuttle Brook flood plain, in Cuttle Brook Gardens, Chiltern Vale and The Renaissance, where there was flooding 12 months ago.”
SEWAGE
Sewerage is a major concern for people living at the bottom of Oxford Road, explained Mr Yates. The drains, he said, were already unable to cope with the extra demand placed on them in recent years, following the infill developments on Oxford Road, Jubilee Gardens, Town Farm Close and Town Farm. Illustrating his point with photographs, he said: “At times of heavy rain, sewerage covers become overloaded resulting in raw sewerage spilling out onto the path. Thames Water regularly has to pump out the sub-station at Cuttle Brook. We note that a detailed report from Thames Water is due to establish whether upgrading is required, which we feel is absolutely essential to this application.”
TRAFFIC
Mr Yates then turned to matters of traffic and access, welcoming the proposal for a ‘ghost island right turn junction’ into the site, supplemented by two pedestrian islands. But he was not convinced that traffic would be able to exit right out of the development, particularly as vision would, he felt, be limited by the brow of the hill. “This will inevitably lead to more traffic turning left than envisaged in Glanville’s assessment, thereby causing problems further down Oxford Road and congestion in the town centre,” he said. More needed to be done, Mr Yates said, to slow down traffic travelling eastwards before the site entrance and suggested a controlled pedestrian crossing would be required. (The development would be served via a single access on to Oxford Road, to the west of Town Farm Close)
“With the aforementioned improvements we feel the speed camera should be re-located further down Oxford Road,” he went on. “We welcome the two uncontrolled crossings. But we feel these should be supplemented by a controlled crossing by the entrance to the Sports Centre/ Lord Williams’s School and the bus stops, to enable safe crossing for the public and especially schoolchildren using public transport. Furthermore it is proposed to open up the green spaces to include cycle and pedestrian pathways so another uncontrolled crossing before Cuttle Brook bridge would be welcomed to link up with the Nature Reserve access.”
Finally, Mr Yates said that he was concerned that Glanville’s Traffic Risk Assessment focused only on the impact of the Bloor development on traffic generation and flows on the Oxford Road and the A418 Thame by-pass roundabout. He suggested that Oxfordshire County Council and District Council planners should look at the wider considerations of the potential unification of the two parts of Lord Williams’s Schools and the likely affect of the simultaneous construction of three major housing developments in Thame on traffic on the ring road and in the town centre.
“Speed on the Oxford Road is a big concern of our residents. Bloor’s proposals will help but this is an opportunity to do more,” Mr Yates concluded.
Jake Collinge, the town council’s Planning Consultant, told councillors that no response from either the Highways Department at Oxfordshire County County or Thames Water had yet been made to the proposed detailed plans. Cllr Mike Dyer that it was essential that water and sewage reports should come in before any planning decision was made.
HOUSING MIX
Jake Collinge then introduced his report (http://www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/images/4.__Report_-_Site_F.pdf) to the council, summarising his main concerns. Jake raised concerns about the size of two-bed bungalows in the plan, which he was concerned were of such a size, that they could be easily turned into three-bed properties thereby reducing in the future, the number of smaller properties in the development. “The mix is already heavily skewed towards larger units,” he said. “It is essential that this matter is addressed in order to secure the mix of propertries anticipated.”
But after a stong case FOR the two-bed bungalows having extra space, from Cllr Helena Fickling (herself an architect), that large bungalows are the sort of properties needed to encourage older people to move out of their four or five-bed houses, the councillors voted not to accept Jake Collinge’s recommendation.
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
He then drew the council’s attention to where in the report he described a number of design and layout-based ‘shortcomings’ in the scheme, including: • That, whilst the Design and Access Statement includes some details in respect of the ‘distinctive design qualities’ of Thame, the document fails to sufficiently demonstrate how these principles have been translated in to the design and form of the proposed units and their scale; • That within each perimeter block, the form, juxtaposition and relationship between buildings lacks a sense of creating clear and cohesive streets with, in areas, an extensive use of on-street parking; • That, in a number of areas, back-to-back distances fall below the privacy standards set out in the South Oxfordshire Design Guide, or would otherwise give rise to overlooking of private areas; • That, for a significant number of units, levels of private amenity space fall below the standards set out in the Design Guide.
His conclusion was that: “In their present form the proposals fail to deliver a cohesive and legible development or one that respects and reflects the distinctive design qualities of Thame. In addition, the layout of the development fails to secure appropriate standards of amenity for future occupiers. “
ALLOTTMENTS AND LANDSCAPING
A further area of disapproval of the detailed planning application is the amount of allotment space provided, which falls below the requirements of the Neighbourhood Plan (0.33hectares) and so one that the council wants to be reviewed accordingly.
The other main recommendations by Jake Collinge, that were supported by the town council refer to, the depth and form of landscaping along the northern and western site boundaries; the provision of Lifetime Homes; clarification on the delivery of cycle parking; whether photovoltaics and/or air/ground source heat pumps are to be used to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4. (See full report)
Finally, there followed a forthright discussion about the design and material of the front wall of the development either side of the entrance, which one councillor described as looking like ‘a golf club entrance’. Councillors agreed that the wall should be made of rubble stone to match the other walls along the Oxford Road. They also agreed to put pressure on Oxfordshire County Council to provide a mini-roundabout by the entrance of the development.
The council voted to recommend refusal of the plan on the grounds of the receommendations made by its Planning Consultant, Jake Collinge.
The full planning application is available for viewing HERE
KUBOTA UK is outsourcing its parts warehousing, distribution and logistics to Unipart under a five-year deal.
The then Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, accepts the keys of the Kubota vehicle presented to the town council last year.
According to a report in The Construction Index, Kubota has said that getting parts support from Unipart would help it to ‘ramp up sales and free up space’ at its Thame headquarters in Oxfordshire.
Managing director Dave Roberts is reported to have said: “In order to continue to deliver exceptional service levels, we evaluated potential distribution partners, and it quickly became apparent that Unipart’s extensive expertise in managing supply chain solutions was second to none.
“This, together with the close proximity of Unipart’s distribution centre in Cowley to our Thame HQ, made them the ideal partner. The creation of this new distribution operation will support the significant investment we have put in place in order to grow our product range and increase our market share.”
RESIDENTS of Haddenham, near Thame, have accused Aylesbury Vale District Council of ‘steamrollering’ over their emerging Neighbourhood Plan.
Masterplan for land at The Glebe, Haddenham
In a statement, Richard Moore, Chairman of Haddenham Parish Council’s Communications Committee, said: “An outline planning application to build 280 units on the farmland opposite Tiggywinkles (known as The Glebe land), which runs counter to the draft Neighbourhood Plan and contrary to the wishes of the majority of the community, has been recommended to be approved by Aylesbury Vale District Council Planning Committee on January 28.
“After two years of research, investigation and consultation Haddenham’s Neighbourhood Plan has been completed and is about to be submitted and undergo a final check before being voted on by villagers.
“According to AVDC the nascent Neighbourhood Plan ’carries insufficient weight at this time’ to influence the decision on the application. Approving this application will torpedo the Neighbourhood Plan which would promptly sink without trace and the village of Haddenham would become a tasty target for predatory developers.”
Chairwoman of Haddenham Parish Council, Margaret Aston, declared: “I am bitterly disappointed by AVDC’s uncooperative and unhelpful attitude.”
At a meeting of the Haddenham Planning Committee on Monday (19/01/15), the Parish Council decided to request that the Secretary of State calls in the application, and that they would advise the Oxford Diocese, which owns half the land in question, that this is not what their community wants and that it undermines the Neighbourhood Plan. They also decided to request that Haddenham’s MP, John Bercow, intervenes, and to seek to publicise, what the committee described as ‘the shambles and sham that ‘localism’ has become’, and ‘to ensure a vocal and obvious presence is manifest’, at the AVDC Planning Committee meeting on January 28.
No one from Aylesbury Vale District Council was available to speak to today, despite strenuous efforts, though a member of the planning team suggested that the ‘Committee report’ dated January 16, (scroll right down at the link below) explains the background to the recommended refusal. (See particularly paras. 1.9, 1.21 and 1.22)
Full details of the planning application and all associated papers can be found here: http://tiny.cc/529usx
NB TRANSPORT POLICY – SUPPORT OF THAME
The draft policies of the HNP aim to, ‘enhance internal and external connectivity in the village through the use of public transport, and facilitate walking and cycling as the main means of access’ and contributions are be sought from all new developments to fully fund the design and delivery of a cycle route between Thame and the Haddenham and Thame Parkway station.
Because this draft policy matches that of Thame’s adopted Neighbourhood Plan, and because Thame Town Council has already successfully secured financial contributions from developers of its own housing sites towards the cycle route, Thame Town Council is to support this policy in Haddenham’s Neighbourhood Plan.
MATCH REPORT: Thame Cyclones v Saints 14-1-15 – After a slow and shaky start ending the first quarter 10-2 Thame soon settled and were able to pull it back together resulting in a near draw by half time. The final few quarters where extremely close with a great work rate shown up and down the court resulting in an extremely tense final quarter, goals being scored end to end with Thame briefly able to snatch the lead before being brought back to a draw. There was some great play shown by both defence and attack with both teams evenly matched, however despite Thames impressive performance Saints were able to shoot a final ending goal in the closing seconds, stealing the lead and securing a narrow win at 29-28
Thame Tornadoes V All Blacks ADNL Div 3 – Match Report 14/01/15
AFTER Shelley’s ’12 Minute Fit’ on Friday’s training session, Tornadoes returned to the court having not quite recovered and still with aching bones. Nevertheless, the team were focused on a 30 goal difference from All Blacks who, like Thame, had appeared to have eaten one too many mince pies over the Christmas break.
The first quarter was a very close start to the match. Despite Sheena and Kirsty’s rapid rebounds and Nic’s fast passing down the court, the quarter ended with Tornadoes just one goal ahead of All Blacks. The second quarter saw excellent passing around the circle from Lisa and Susie, allowing Heather and Hayley to continue flinging the ball into the net, regardless of being ‘sandwiched’ between the GK and GD. Unfortunately, All Blacks took the lead with just one goal ahead of Tornadoes, making the match even more tense for both the players and supporters. Tornadoes saw GS Helen take to the floor (literally) in the third quarter. Her slow motion move to retrieve the ball as it rolled out of court had the team in fits of laughter… only to find out that Sheena saw she was ‘miles away from the ball’ and was never really going to make it! The entertainment that Tornadoes carried throughout the third quarter seemed to distract All Blacks as Tornadoes again took the lead. The final quarter saw ‘Sheena’s plan’ overpower the original 30 goal lead Tornadoes had set themselves. Susie’s high jumping on court stole the show once again as she and Nic worked together to form fantastic interceptions that brought the ball back to the attackers. Karen’s outstanding passing into the shooters overwhelmed All Blacks as they lost focus and Tornadoes stormed ahead in the last five minutes of the match, making the final score 37-31, another great win for Thame Tornadoes.
THAME’S Winter Quiz Night ended after a dramatic tie-break on Friday (16/01/15), when Sue Boyle, the quizmaster, challenged the general knowledge of 15 teams who entered in support of Thame Youth Memorial and Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association.
The two Winter Quiz winning teams
The event took place at Thame’s Barley Hill School Hall and the questions covered themes including Sports, Celebrities, Beat the Winter Blues, Winnie the Pooh, In the News and Musical Decades.
Two teams, the Saturday Strollers and Russ’s Team, gained the top two places with the same number of points after 10 rounds of questions. To establish the winner, the teams went into a tie-break of three questions and the eventual winner was Russ’s Team.
The event generated just over £550 in profit which will be split between Thame Youth Memorial and Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association.
Marius Ciortan, Thame-Sinaia Association’s Secretary said: “We would like to thank Sue Boyle and her team for challenging us with excellent topics and would leverybody who participated and helped with our fundraiser. We were delighted to be able to join our efforts with those of Thame Youth Memorial in organising our joint quiz night. This quiz will help us to meet some of the transport costs of local groups visiting Sinaia during the Sinaia Forever Festival at the end of September. We are looking forward to hearing from members of our vibrant community who would be willing to attend the Sinaia Forever Festival. Please get in touch via: www.facebook.com/thamesinaia “
