Let’s save The Bell.
The Bell isn’t just a pub—it’s a cornerstone of our community. It’s where neighbours meet, milestones are celebrated, and the everyday feels special.
A developer wants to take that away. We believe The Bell and the Bourtons community deserves better.
Appeal Hearing 15th Jan @ Bicester
HUGE THANKS to everyone who took the time to submit their further comments to the planning inspectorate.
As a result of this “significant public interest” the appeal will now be decided at hearing at 10:00 on the 15th January at The John Paul ll Centre, Webb Court, 12 The Causeway, Bicester, OX26 6AW.
We at STBIG feel this is a very positive decision and after communication with the council and the inspectorate office we have been given the opportunity to participate in the discussion in person to put forward our case for why The Bell Inn should be saved and to answer any questions that the inspector may have.
We urge as many people as possible to try to attend the appeal to show your support.
If you wish to attend the hearing then please email the council directly at submit.appeal@cherwell-dc.gov.uk to notify them in advance.
Details of how the hearing will be structured and how to take part can be found here.
You can find all the appeal documentation here, including all of the appellant statements and public comments that have been received by the planning inspectorate.
In summary the main grounds put forward in the appeal are:
Planning Application Justification: The proposal was fully justified in the submitted planning application.
Financial Viability: The Appellant has robustly demonstrated that re-opening the public house and sustaining viable trading in the long term is not financially viable. This was presented in the planning application and is re-presented in this appeal to comply with saved Policy S29 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996.
Social and Economic Wellbeing: The loss of the community facility does not result in significant harm to the social and economic well-being of the village and there is no conflict with saved Policy S29 and NPPF paragraph 98.
However, the councillors—who voted unanimously against the original application—and the 230 people who objected made it clear they strongly disagree. The suggestion that losing this valued community facility would not harm the village’s social and economic well-being is simply not supported by the reality we all see and experience.
What’s more, the developer has again chosen not to meet the planning policy requirement to prove financial non-viability. Instead, he has submitted an updated financial viability report, which he describes as a “robust demonstration.” We at STBIG firmly disagree with this claim.
Next Steps
Let’s keep the momentum and continue to demonstrate to the planning inpectorate the significant public interest in this case by attending the hearing in person at 10:00 on the 15th January at The John Paul ll Centre, Webb Court, 12 The Causeway, Bicester, OX26 6AW.
Together, we can make sure the inspector understands just how important The Bell Inn is to our village.
The road to community pub ownership is rarely short or without bumps. But we are on it!
Thank you
Please Donate to our GoFundMe Campaign
To-date the campaign has been self-funded by STBIG volunteers, however as we try to set up negotiations with the owner and before we can formally set up a community benefit society to raise funds to purchase the pub, we recognise that we do need to raise a modest 'fighting' fund to cover anticipated costs such as:
Independent property valuation
Legal costs in setting up the community benefit society
Creation of a community share offer prospectus
Click Here to Donate
What does ACV status mean and how can it help?
STBIG and The Parish Council have successfully defended the pub's Asset of Community Value ('ACV') status against the developer's recent appeal.
Whilst extremely helpful in our efforts to object to the application the ACV status does not automatically mean that the application will be refused.
Under the terms of the legislation, registration as an asset of community value covers three aspects:
Material planning consideration: although not part of the enacted legislation, the ACV status may be a material consideration in a planning application and may be used by the local planning authority and Planning Inspectorate as a factor in refusing planning permission for full or partial change of use or demolition. The government guidance document Community Right to Bid: Non-statutory advice note for local authorities supported by Don Foster MP introduced this right, however under the provision that it is open to the local planning authority to decide whether listing as an asset of community value is a material consideration if an application for change of use is submitted, considering all the circumstances of the case.
Community right to bid: a moratorium imposes a pause on a sale for up to six months to allow the local community a chance to raise funds and submit an offer to purchase the property. The owner however is under no obligation to accept the offer or for the community to be treated as a preferential bidder.
Compulsory purchase rights: an ACV-registered building can be compulsorily purchased by the local authority or council "if the asset is under threat of long-term loss to the community".