CHINNOR

PARISH COUNCIL

Issue 10 November 2006

NEW PLANNING GUIDELINES (Site Allocations Development Plan)

The Parish Council wants to clarify some misunderstandings that are currently circulating in relation to identification of land in the village with building potential, as laid down in South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC’s) Site Allocations Development Plan.

To comply with Central Government requirements, SODC, as our local Planning Authority, is required to compile a list of pieces of land identified as having potential for residential building development. Anyone can identify any piece of land for the purposes of this exercise – there is no requirement either to own or have any other interest in the land. SODC is then required to review these sites and to apply a series of “sustainability tests” that are designed to establish whether the sites do actually have any sustainable development potential and whether they qualify for further consideration. SODC is then obliged to report back on this during 2007.

At the time of publication of this Newsletter, 5 such plots have been identified in Chinnor:

- Corner of Mill Lane and Thame Road;

- Between Golden Hills and the Hill Road Recreation Ground;

- Land to the rear of Middle Farm in Oakley Road (near the Wheatsheaf corner);

- Land in Mill Lane opposite the junction with Estover Way, and;

- A large area on the NW side of Lower Icknield Way extending from just past Elderdene to the village boundary.

It is possible, but now unlikely, that other plots within the village will be identified before the process closes. SODC has published, and has undertaken to keep updated, an “interactive” map showing all identified sites. This is accessible on the SODC website at:

http://maps.southoxon.gov.uk/website/developmentsitesconsultation/showmap.asp?action=locate. Any changes can be viewed here, as they are made. It has to be stressed that THESE ARE NOT PLANNING APPLICATIONS – they are merely plots identified by developers or individuals as having, in their own opinion, potential for development.

Particular concern has been expressed in relation to the plot identified in Lower Icknield Way which encompasses a large number of existing houses under a wide range of ownerships. It has been reported that the “applicant” in this instance has advised some occupiers of the area that Planning Consent already exists for some development in that identified area. It must be stressed that, according to the SODC website, TO DATE, NO PLANNING APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR, OR CONSENTS GRANTED, FOR ANY OF THE LAND CONTAINED WITHIN THIS IDENTIFIED SITE other than any applications that may have been made by the owners.

If this “applicant” is telling property owners in the vicinity otherwise, he is spreading false information.

Elsewhere in this part of Oxfordshire, a significant amount of land around Thame has been identified together with a very large plot near to Milton Common. This latter is really a regeneration of some old proposals for what is essentially a new town in that area: the original proposals made quite a few years ago were known as the Stone Bassett proposals.

As the Council receives more information about all of this, the village will be kept informed.

STREET PARKING IN THE VILLAGE

As has been reported in a previous issue of this Newsletter, the Parish Council is reviewing the whole question of street parking in the village with the intention of asking the County Council for action. The Parish Council does, however, feel that it needs to be able to present the County with some constructive suggestions, rather than just “complain”. There is no doubt that the level of street parking in the village has increased significantly in recent years, together with an increase in overall traffic levels. When the cement works site is developed (as now seems likely during 2007), virtually all the additional traffic generated will be funnelled down Station Road into the village, worsening an already difficult situation. (see also under Planning below).

There are street parking issues throughout the village, but specific areas identified as presenting particular problems are:

- Station Road – in the vicinity of the Methodist Church and Shapers, and ”uphill” from the Crown pub;

- High Street – along most of its length with particular issues at each end;

- Church Road – between Church Lane and the High Street junction:

- Lower Road – between Springfield Gardens and the High street;

- Lower Icknield Way – between High Street and Elderdene;

- Thame Road – between the Garden Centre and Mill Lane junction.

The obvious solution to all of this may well be to encourage better and more regular use of off-road parking and garages. Whilst it has to be accepted that there are some houses in the village with no off-road parking provision, these are in a minority, even on the main village square. The observation has been made that, when planned road repairs take place in the village, parked cars do seem to disappear. Perhaps this is because most can, with a little effort, be taken off the road. The challenge we face is to encourage more effective use of garaging and off-road parking all the time.

A number of other suggestions have been made that might help to alleviate the problem, as follows:

- Create more off-road parking and convert verges to accommodate parking. Negatives are that we need, at the same time, to discourage ad-hoc parking on verges and pavements and avoid detrimental change to the character of the village street scene;

- Convert the village square to a one-way system, an idea that has been mooted on numerous occasions in the past. Negatives are that as many villagers are likely to oppose this as agree with it, it is likely to generate further increase in street parking and, more importantly, it is likely to increase average traffic speeds – and subsequent danger to children and other pedestrians - unless “calming” measures are also introduced, ie chicanes, humps or similar;

- Create strategic, “protected” no-parking zones in the problem areas, to provide space for vehicles to pull into, between parked cars. A negative here is that for these to work they require the application of common sense and may have to be made enforceable in law by, for example, provision of yellow lines. This is, again, something that many will oppose.

The Council recognises that there is likely to be a wide difference of opinions over this issue and would welcome input from villagers before making its proposals to the County Council.

YOUTH ACTIVITY

The new Youth Club is now meeting in the Village Centre pending relocation to the building in White’s Field once some changes have been made to the structure there. The club meets on Mondays 7.30 – 9.30 pm (14 – 18 age range) and Thursdays 7.00 – 9.00 pm (11 – 14 age range). Turnout on Monday evenings has been good, but Thursday (ages 11 – 14) turnouts have been disappointing. It would be a pity if there proves to be no demand for facilities for the younger age range. The club, which has already generated a substantial amount of its own funding independently of the Parish Council, is gradually becoming more under the control of its own membership. In addition to the regular meetings, it is now organising trips and events outside the village.

We now have a Youth operation in the village, initiated by the Parish Council in response to continuous complaints about lack of facility. Going forward we want this to operate independently of the Parish Council and now need adult interest to drive it forward. The Club is supported by a Youth Steering Group and is run by a County Council part-time youth worker, although volunteers or part-time paid youth workers (latter subject to training) are still needed. Anyone interested in volunteering should call Gerald Brandes on 07950 336147 or contact the Parish Clerk.

PLANNING

St Andrew’s School Field

The Parish Council has been advised that the planning application for residential development of part of the land at St Andrew’s School has been withdrawn by the County Council, although the plans to modify the school buildings are still likely to proceed.

Cement Works site

The exhibition organised on 5 December by Consensus Planning (consultants acting for Taylor Woodrow who have now bought the site) was an opportunity for the village to see the latest proposals for development of the cement works site and to provide input to the developers. It seemed that most of those who attended found the exhibition and presentations useful although a few individuals were perhaps over-forthright in their opinions! Amongst the key points of concern that were raised at this meeting were:

i. The impact of additional traffic generated by the new homes on village roads and, in particular, on Station Road between the Crown and the railway bridge. The Planning Brief prepared by SODC for the site dictates that the exit from the development must discharge onto Station Road and that the developer cannot construct a new road to provide access from the B4009 near Crowell. The main reason for this may well be to try to avoid pressure to develop the land between Glynswood and the railway. Wherever the traffic is discharged, however, it is likely to increase pressure on the entire village square. The developer will have to agree a traffic plan with County Council Highways dept and Chinnor wants input into this.

ii. The impact of around 150 – 190 new homes on the support infrastructure of the village - leisure facilities, medical and dental facilities, schools etc. The Council will be staying in touch with Consensus and the planners

iii. The broader environmental impact of the development and the necessity for industrial/commercial provision on the site.

The Parish Council is working with both the SODC Planners and the developers in relation to all of these issues and with a view to gaining the best contribution that we can from the developers. We will continue to keep the village informed as information becomes available.

VILLAGE OPEN SPACES & AMENITIES

Litter

Litter remains a serious concern, particularly in the vicinity of St Andrews School, the doctors’ surgery and the entrance to the playing fields. Several bags of litter, including a significant number of drinks containers, are cleared from this area every weekday morning, but clearing up just seems to generate an increase in the amounts of litter. One idea that has been mooted is that we only clear the area weekly to see if this helps – might not those who create the litter be discouraged from congregating in the area if it is already clogged with rubbish?

SECURITY AND POLICING

Playing Fields car park and Doctors’ Surgery car park

Linked with the litter issue described above is the ongoing nuisance caused by the intimidating congregation of youngsters, aggressive driving of cars, and playing of loud music in cars in this area, quite often late into the night. This has also included instances of criminal damage.

In an attempt to control the situation, the Playing Fields Management Committee is planning to provide a gate across the entrance to the playing field car park, that will be locked when the playing fields are not in use. The road leading to the school and the car parks off this road are under the control of the County Council; the police are fully aware of the problem and are being pressed by the Parish Council to take action.

Local residents are encouraged to report any problems directly to the Police on the non-emergency number at 08458 505 505 or, if any criminal action is seen, by dialling 999.

GENERAL ISSUES

Parish Council “Surgeries”

In its continuing effort to make the Council more accessible to the public, the Parish Council will be holding periodical “surgeries”, when members of the public can arrange to meet a couple of Councillors to discuss any issues about which they have concerns. The first such surgery will be held on Saturday 20 January 2007 between 10 and midday at the Village Centre. Anyone wishing to raise any issues should make an appointment with the Parish Clerk.

Budget planning

The Parish Council has advised SODC that the precept that it will be requesting for the 2007 – 8 financial year will be the same as that for the current year, ie there will be no increase in the element of Council Tax taken by the Parish.

Parish Council Website

The Parish Council website has now been updated and is accessible at http://www.chinnorparishcouncil.org.uk. The site now provides access to minutes of recent meetings and latest editions of this Newsletter, dates of upcoming Council meetings, contact details for Councillors, initial information about the Parish Council elections due in 2007, together with information about, or links to, other organisations in the village.

Contact us: We really do still want to hear from you (and we are now receiving regular emails and comments!) – both about this newsletter and any other issues that concern you. The Parish Council can be contacted by letter to its offices at the Village Centre, by email at chinnorpc@btconnect.com or via the “Contact Us” page of the website.

The next newsletter will be published with the January or February 2007 issue of the Pump.