A SOUTH Oxfordshire town could be the first in the country to adopt a new plan to safeguard the area's environment.

Thame residents met at the town hall last Tuesday to discuss the Green Living Plan (GLP) to protect and improve the town's environmental health.

After the meeting the town council authorised the draft GLP to proceed to consultation, which is expected to begin within the next two months.

More than 60 people gathered for a presentation by the RSA Thame Group, a local group of Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce.

The group has assisted Thame Town Council in creating the plan over the last two and a half years.

The GLP aims to encourage community action to enhance Thame's quality of life and ensure it remains a healthy place to live and work as the town grows.

Charles Boundy, RSA Thame Group chairman, said: "As the Plan develops we’ll be exploring funding opportunities from development and other sources, including looking for local sponsors or partners with green living initiatives.

"It is only with the support of local people and volunteers that we can achieve our aims.

"Practical steps for getting involved are included in the Plan."

A statement from Thame Town Council read: "The Plan will be a living document, that will benefit Thame forever."

The GLP will form part of the evidence base for the forthcoming revision of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, which is due in the next two years.

Members of the RSA Thame Group, led by Charles Boundy, presented their draft Green Living Plan to Councillors and more than 60 members of the community ahead of a vote for the GLP to go out for consultation with the people, commerce and other interested parties over the next four months.

The aim of the GLP is to help ensure that, as Thame grows and develops, the town remains a green, pleasant and healthy place to live and work. It should raise awareness and encourage action to enhance community quality of life.

Thame Town Council: A wide variety of questions, on traffic management, single use plastics, biodiversity, the amount of commitment, the consultation process and other topics were raised which will help ensure that the Green Living Plan is right for Thame. At the Town Council meeting that immediately followed, the draft GLP was authorised to proceed to a consultation over the summer, probably starting in late July/ early August. The Plan will be a living document, that will benefit Thame forever.’