25/03/13….Park gates safety ‘not an issue’ says council

THAME Town Council is continuing to dispute that by not providing a side access gate to the entrance of Elms Park in Park Street, it is endangering the safety of children.

Criticism of the council?s decision to leave an open access way, contrary to plans originally submitted and approved by the district council, has attracted criticism including from residents close by.

The town council is now seeking retrospective planning permission to leave out the pedestrian gate. In its application, the town council states: ?No access or highway safety implications arise from the lack of gates to the pedestrian entrance and, indeed, if it was anticipated that such issues may arise, it is reasonable to have expected that a condition requiring the provision of such would have been the subject of a condition of the original planning permission. It was not, and thus the proposals are also considered acceptable in access terms.?

Speaking at a meeting of the town council?s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee on March 19, the Clerk to the Council, Helen Stewart, said: ?There are no issues with regard to safety whatsoever in the area nor has the Highways department any problems with the application.?

The Mayor, Cllr Nigel Champken Woods, said: ?We could install a barrier but we would have to look at the costs.?

Cllr Mike Dyer said that he had been approached by a resident living opposite the park and that he had written back to him inviting him to come and talk, but that the resident had never done so.

The full application and various letters and correspondence from local people in relation to this planning application can be read HERE

IMAGE; Courtesy of Thame Town Council – Plan drawing of the park access as it is now, as submitted by Thame Town Council to SODC for Retrospective Planning permission.