Aims

The Cattle Market Action Group (CMAG) aims to ensure that the Cattle Market site is used for the best possible benefit to the people of Thame, and that a significant part of the site is developed for community uses.

When the Cattle Market moves from its present site in North Street to the edge of the town the town centre will gain a large plot of land, ripe for development. Many residents feel strongly that this prime site would be best used for the benefit of the whole community. Local research shows that what Thame most needs is a multi-use community space: offering a flexible performance space, available at all times, with a capacity which is useable by both local and professional theatre groups and musicians, as well as being a meeting space for local organisations such as Thame U3A, which has over 300 members; additional smaller rooms and workshops offering rehearsal space, meeting space for groups such as mother and toddlers and facilities for health, further education classes and activities such as music/video mixing and editing, art, craft, photography and an exhibition area. There might also be a general meeting space with café and visitor information facilities. Any such facility would need to maximise the potential for self-funding, so is important for it to have sufficient capacity so that it could also be used as a corporate venue.

Objectives

Provide the vision for a vibrant, mixed-use scheme (with appropriate car parking) that “establishes community”, provides visitor attraction and a presence within the heart of the town centre.

Based on the local community’s aims (using feedback from local groups, organisations and individuals on amenity/operational uses and needs).

Reflect SODC’s strategic planning objectives, namely: housing; crime reduction; health and well-being; economy; and environment (with lifelong learning and transport as subsidiary aims).

www.thamecmag.co.uk