Planning Application Details

That, having regard to the information submitted in support of the application including the marketing exercise and financial details, the existing employment use is considered economically viable and the site has not been adequately marketed for at least a year for any other suitable employment use for which there is an identified need. As such this proposal is contrary to Policy CSEM2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2012, Policy E6 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, policies WS12 and WS13 of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and paras 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

That, having regard to the footprint, scale, height and massing and its proximity to No.39 North Street, this development would have an overbearing and oppressive impact. The number of new windows proposed some of which will serve habitable rooms will create an unacceptable perception of overlooking and direct overlooking of the rear private garden area of No. 39 and to a lesser degree the private garden area of 'New House'. This would be detrimental to the amenity of the occupiers of No.39 North Street and New House. As such this is contrary to policy D4 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.

That the proposal does not demonstrate that the level of vehicle and cycle parking provision is adequate to meet the needs of the proposal. As such this is contrary to policy T2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2012.

That the position of the two parking spaces for the police office will lead to unacceptable manoeuvres across the vehicular and pedestrian access to the site that will be detrimental to highway safety. This is contrary to policy T1 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.

That having regard to the footprint, scale, height and massing of the proposed building it would overwhelm the domestic scale of the surrounding building, including No. 39 which is a building of local note, it would also create a sense of enclosure by closing an existing gap in the street scene around No.39. As such this development is not considered to be a suitable replacement for the police station building as its loss would constitute an unattractive gap in the Thame Conservation Area. Therefore this development is contrary to policies CON6 and CON7 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, policies ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18 and ESDQ20 and advice set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

That the proposal fails to provide affordable housing in accordance with Policy CSHE of the adopted Core Strategy 2012 and fails to provide adequate on and off site infrastructure and services in accordance with Policy CSI1 and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2012.