This information and website has been produced on behalf of Hallam Land Management Limited (Hallam) to provide additional information in relation to a potential site allocation within the Thame Neighbourhood Plan Review – land East of Thame.
This website is NOT part of the current Thame Neighbourhood Plan consultation and it invites no formal responses.
Simply, this website seeks to provide local residents and key stakeholders with further information that may assist them in formulating a response to the Town Council’s Thame Neighbourhood Plan consultation.
Where is the Land East of Thame?
Land East of Thame presents a suitable and deliverable opportunity for accommodating Thame’s growth requirements up to 2034 and beyond. The site is situated south of the Kingsey Road and is an agricultural field and includes a portal-framed agricultural building. This site has frontage with the Kingsey Road the B4012 section of Thame’s ring road opposite existing residential development. The site is approximately 12.5 ha in size. North of the site there are existing allotments, Thame Showground and Chinnor Rugby Club. East of the site is the MP Sports Cricket Academy which has been in operation for number of years. To the south is the expanding employment area east of Howland Road, including Windles.
Opportunities and Constraints
The eastern side of Thame is significantly less constrained than other potential directions for growth. The north and western edges are constrained by the floodplain. The south lies within the setting of a historic park and garden and provides separation from the adjacent settlement of Moreton.
The site has few constraints, the land designations within the vicinity are illustrated on the accompanying plan. The site constraints have been carefully considered in the master planning work on this site to identify the potential capacity and the scope of the land uses:
- The site lies to the west of the ridgeline which is considered to be the limit for potential expansion beyond the current settlement edge.
- The site lies outside areas that are considered to be of high landscape value or scenic quality.
- Strategic planting has taken place along the eastern edge of the site and softens views and minimises local visual impact.
- There is significant scope to improve the pedestrian and cycling experience into Thame with improved crossings with the ring road at Kingsey Road and Towersey Road.
- Land to the east on Kingsey Road has become the home of a Cricket Academy which has a clear vision for how the site will evolve with facilities for pitches, nets, a pavilion, car park and access from Towersey Road. The proposals provides an opportunity for development to support the facilities.
- Early studies undertaken by Hallam has indicated that the site has limited boundary trees and hedges that are of ecological interest. In addition, there are limited trees of intrinsic value.
None of the constraints, as summarised above would prevent development on the site. Most are opportunities.
Find out more info including a vision document at https://www.landeastofthame.co.uk/
