Reserve Site C

May 2023 

We are now awaiting the developers to submit a reserved matters application, (which will detail appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale), for which they have 3 years from the date when the outline application was approved.

September 2022

SODC planning have now formally approved 57 dwellings to be built on 'Reserve site C' (Please see below 'SODC Approval')

This includes the requirement from TPERA to include a formal access point for the farmer to have permanent access from Field 2 into
Field 3 as well as producing a Construction Traffic Management Plan to have the independant access.

TPERA will stay engaged with the process and will inform residents once the 'Reserve Matters' have been published.  This may include a general meeting to present the plan and collate resident opinion. 

March 2022 

The contractual conversations have been going on for the last few months.  TPERA has checked with SODC planning and the conditions regarding agricultural access and an independent construction entrance have been included in these contractual conversations.  Contractual completion is due in the next couple of months.

September 2021

14th September - The planning officers report has now been completed and is with the director of planning for signature.  The next steps are to also complete a legal document between the developer and SODC.  This will include the planning conditions for reserve site C, such as, ‘open space’ that will be provided on reserve site C and the ‘retained agricultural land’.  There will also be a planning condition to ensure that there is a direct access route for the farmer between the fields to the south of reserve site C and the fields to the south of the Bellway development.  The planning approval will not be completed until this legal document is signed by all parties.  It is therefore anticipated that planning permission is a ‘couple’ of months off.

July 2021

• SODC have confirmed that a clear crossing path from Reserve site C to the field to the south of Hampden Gardens will be part of the planning conditions placed on the Reserve Site C application approval.
• SODC Highways provided a direct response to TPERA regarding the farming vehicles and the independent access road. (see attached 'Jul 2021 - Highways response').  Detailed comments section starting on page 6 under the headers 'Agricultural Vehicles' & 'Vehicular access'

June 2021

• On a weekend in June the farmer harvested their fields until the early hours of the morning.  During this weekend, evidence was also captured that the farming vehicles are TOO big for the junctions on the Hampden Garden estate.  TPERA did however discuss these issues with the farmer directly and was sympathetic to some of the issues he has with regards to accessing the field directly to the south of Hampden Gardens.  TPERA subsequently wrote to SODC and TTC with these issues, as they would need to be fully considered and resolved as part of Reserve Site C. (See attached 'June 2021 - Farming access issues')
• Thame Town Council (TTC) wrote to SODC planning supporting the ask for a clear crossing path from Reserve site C to the field to the south of Hampden Gardens and also that a Swept Path analysis of a tractor and trailer completed through the access road. (see attached 'Jun 2021 - TTC letter to SODC')
• TPERA have been in contact with SODC planning on several occasions to ensure that the request from TTC is followed up.

May 2021 

• TPERA reviewed the plan revisions submitted by CEG / Nexus Planning and wrote a further letter to stress our disappointment that the residents feedback had not been answered.  Again asking for subjective review of the Warren Mead junction and also proper farming traffic access. (See attached 'May 2021 - TPERA feedback on plan revisions')
• TPERA sent a further letter to SODC to try and get a subjective review of traffic, Possible idea for independent access & also noise issues from BOC (See attached 'May 2021 - TPERA Letter RE: Access & Noise')

April 2021

• TPERA sent a further letter to SODC and TTC with evidence that had been collated from the residents.  The ask was the same (Independent access road), but evidence was used to strengthen this requirement. (See attached 'Apr 2021 - TPERA follow up with SODC + evidence')
• TPERA attended the Thame Town Council (TTC) – Full Meeting to formally oppose the access road and ask for their support in doing so.  The meeting concluded that TTC could not support the objection as it is part of the Thame Neighborhood plan (TNP), but they would NOT oppose a feasibility study into an independent access for reserve site C.
• During the meeting with TTC, they confirmed that the developer had confirmed that an independent access road for CONSTUCTION TRAFFIC was being proposed by them following feedback from the residents.
• TPERA collated all the residents’ photos (accidents on Warren Mead crossroads & HGV movements on the entrance) and submitted to planning with the ask to carry out a feasibility study for an independent access road. (see attached 'Apr 2021 - TPERA letter to SODC independent access')

March 2021

• Planning Permission consultation opened P21/S0917/O. (see attached 'Mar 2021 - SODC planning letter')
• TPERA distributed a copy of the planning application to all residents (see attached 'Mar 2021 - TPERA Cover Letter to Residents)
• TPERA Followed this up with a further letter to all residents giving guided notes on objections particularly pertaining to the access road going through Warren Mead and Hode Garth. (see attached 'Mar 2021 - TPERA Further letter to Residents) 
• TPERA encouraged all residents to get involved in the planning feedback and the deadline was the 10th April.
• TPERA asked for all residents to provide any photos or real-life experiences.
• TPERA Submitted a letter to the planning application to ensure prober review and that permission was simply granted as it is fully 'in-line' with the TNP. (see attached 'Mar 2021 - TPERA letter to planning NOT in line TNP')

October 2020

• CEG leaflet dropped the residents of Hampden Gardens regarding their proposal to build on reserve site C.
• Although planning had not formally been submitted, the plan was part of the Thame Neighborhood plan (TNP) since 2013!  This was a surprise to many residents.
• TPERA concluded that opposing the development for the 57 dwellings would be a fruitless battle, however decided to see if the access road could be re-considered especially as farming traffic would still be a major factor to the fields to the south of the developments.
• Attached Oct 2020 - CEG Initial Response