Application to convert the Bell Inn to a house refused
16/05/2025
A campaign group had the pub registered as an Asset of Community Value
Plans to convert the Bell Inn pub in Great Bourton into a family home have been unanimously refused by Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee.
The Hook Norton Brewery had owned the pub since 1899. It closed in 2023 and they sold it to James Day the following year. In December he applied for an official change of use for the property.
239 objections were received against the idea of losing the village pub and a ‘Save the Bell Inn’ campaign was launched.
Members of the campaign group had the pub registered as an Asset of Community Value earlier this year.
Councillor Chris Brant told the Committee why it was important they backed the local people campaigning to keep the property as a pub.
He said: “I entered local politics last year to champion fairness and fairness must matter above all else. The Community should have been given the opportunity to save their pub, to put forward an Asset of Community Value nomination and to raise funds, potentially to buy and run the pub as a thriving community pub.
“Instead, they’ve been excluded from this process entirely and it’s now the responsibility of this Council to right that wrong.”
A number of members of the Save the Bell Inn campaign were present at the meeting and they applauded the committee’s decision to refuse the change of use application.
During the debate planning officers did remind those present that rejecting the application didn’t necessarily mean it would reopen as a pub.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
