This section of the plan contains the site-specific proposals for Thame. In 2001, the estimated population of Thame was 10,886. There has been some housing development since 1995 with the completion of 99 dwellings at the BP Oil site and a further 39 dwellings at Pickenfield. The sites allocated for housing and employment-generating uses in the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 1997 were all taken up. Having regard to the strategic policy explained in Section 5 other than the redevelopment of Rycotewood College, there will be no significant growth in housing at Thame in the plan period to 2011. At the Issues Stage of this plan people did not support further allocations for business use development at Thame. There will, however, be limited opportunities for such use in the redevelopment of certain existing premises presently in business use.

At some stage during the plan period the Cattle Market site in North Street, Thame, may cease to be used for livestock auctions and in that event, a mixed-use redevelopment of part of the site would be appropriate. The Council will prepare a development brief setting out the detailed planning requirements for the site. This brief would be informed by a commercial appraisal of the mix of uses that would comprise a viable scheme. The scheme should include arts, cultural and entertainments uses in accordance with the aspirations expressed by Thame Town Council. The mix of uses should also include retention of the existing sports club building on the site in accordance with Policy CF1. The need for retention of public car parking spaces on the site should also be considered in order to maintain good accessibility by car to Thame town centre in accordance with Policy T8. The housing element of the mix of uses will comply with the policies for dwelling types and sizes, density and for affordable housing in Section 5 of this plan.

The limitation on the amount of retail floorspace that may be provided and the exclusion of food retail supermarket uses are based on recommendations contained in the South Oxfordshire Shopping Study 2000. The requirements of Policy E2 restrain the amount of office floorspace that may be permitted on the site. The existing footway connections between the site and Upper High Street and Greyhound Walk should be improved to make them safe and attractive for pedestrian use. The development would then integrate well with the primary shopping frontages in Thame town centre.

Thame Oil Depot was the sole user of the branch railway line running from Thame to Princes Risborough. The closure of the oil depot resulted in the railway becoming unused. Sustrans purchased most of the line from Princes Risborough and a cycle/pedestrian route has been built as far as the former oil depot. Planning permission has been granted to extend the route westwards to Lord Williams School and the Council will support the implementation of this scheme.

This site is one of the few open spaces in the centre of Thame and it is considered to be important to retain it and maintain its rural character. For this reason, the Council will support proposals which achieve this aim should the site become available during the plan period.

Rycotewood College, as shown on the Proposals Map is merging with other colleges in the area and disposing of the site in Thame. The site totals 2.78 hectares. It is on the western edge of Thame and the site slopes down to open floodplain land to the north and west. Part of the site lies within the Thame conservation area. To the east of the site is the Prebendal which contains a number of buildings listed as Grade I or Grade II*. The site has been used as a College since 1935 and contains a variety of buildings. The main College building is a Grade II listed former workhouse built in 1835/6. There are also two Grade II listed gatehouses and an important area of open space between the entrance to the site and the former workhouse building. The remaining buildings on the site are purpose-built college buildings and could be demolished.

The site should be considered comprehensively and a planning brief for the site incorporating a design statement should be prepared and adopted as a supplementary planning document.

It is considered that the listed, former workhouse could, in principle, be converted to residential use and/or community use. However, it is essential that before a scheme is produced a Conservation Plan is prepared setting out the original function and historic significance of the building and explaining how that significance will be retained in any future use. The building was originally designed with large rooms and this should be reflected in any scheme. The removal of the insensitive modern additions would be supported. The setting of the building should also be enhanced. The open space between Oxford Road and the listed building should be retained and consideration should be given to enhancing this area by relocating the car parking to a less sensitive part of the site. Any new building to the rear will need to be very carefully designed and respect the scale of the original buildings.

The listed gatehouses and boundary walls should be retained although the creation of a separate pedestrian entrance to Oxford Road would be supported. A management plan for the future maintenance of the listed buildings and open spaces should be submitted with any proposal.

The site is considered suitable for residential development and community facilities and the ground floor of the former workhouse would be particularly suitable for community uses. The site would also be suitable for a residential care home. New development should respect the topography of the site, protect the setting of the Prebendal and protect or enhance the character of the conservation area and its setting. The Council will require proposals to comply with the policies for achieving good design, reinforcing local distinctiveness and energy-efficient design in Section 4. The site is adjacent to the floodplain and consultation with the Environment Agency will be needed to ensure there is no impact on areas of flood risk.

The Council will seek the provision of 40% of the dwelling units as affordable housing in accordance with Policy H9 and these should be pepperpotted around the site. A mix of dwelling types and sizes must also be provided in accordance with Policy H7. There will also be a need to ensure the provision of any necessary on- or off-site infrastructure and services in accordance with Policy D11.

The listed gatehouses mean that access to the site is restricted. As stated in paragraph 12.9 above, the creation of a separate pedestrian access would be supported but a further vehicular access would not. The access problem could, therefore, restrict the amount of development on the site. Particular care will also be needed in the design of the internal roads and the provision of segregated footways would be beneficial. There will be a requirement for traffic calming measures on Oxford Road adjacent to the site.