Thame farmers’ market given go-ahead to relocate and expand

Planning permission has been granted for Thame Farmers Auction Mart to relocate to a new site on the edge of Thame in Oxfordshire.

The livestock market is currently based in the town centre and it hopes that by moving to a new out-of-town, state-of-the-art facility it will be able to attract new buyers and sellers and increase the number of operating days.

The proposed new site, near Christmas Hill Business Park, is expected to include covered pens and provide better facilities for hauliers than the current market.

See also: Livestock throughput rises as market turnover tops £3bn

South Oxfordshire District Council has given the go-ahead for the relocation, and the move is expected to be completed within the next 18 months.

However, a series of planning conditions will need to be met in order for the project to move forward.

Richard Roff, chairman of Thame Farmers Auction Mart, said: “Once these conditions are resolved this will secure the future of livestock trading in the South East at a time when a number of markets across the country have closed in recent years.

“While the resolution to grant planning permission is a significant milestone, further work is required to deliver the planning consent.”

He added: “Thame was awarded its Market Charter in 1215 and it is wonderful that its connection with livestock sales continues while removing issues related to congestion, noise and smell created by the current location in the town centre.”

Mr Roff said the future use of the current market site remained uncertain, with a number of options being considered by site owner South Oxfordshire District Council.