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.
BREAKING NEWS - the planning application has been refused!
We did it!
Achieving refusal of the developer's planning application for The Bell Inn is a huge milestone for our campaign. And we couldn't have done it without the support of our pub and village community, and the many contributions, large and small, from near and far. Whatever your role was, we are grateful for your help in getting us to this point. Thank you!
So, what now?
It's a great question! Here are some headlines and things that Save The Bell Inn Group (STBIG) are working on already:
We have already reached out to the developer again in the hope of respectfully and amicably discussing the future of our pub.
We are assisting the Parish Council with defending the pub's Asset of Community Value ('ACV') listing, against the developer's appeal. This is important as the ACV listing could eventually help us purchase the pub.
We are continuing to develop plans to make community ownership of the pub a reality. How the pub would be run, funded and organised, etc. We will share information on this in due course, including at another public meeting which we will set up and at which you can ask questions of us, in person.
We are working with key supporters such as the Plunkett Foundation, CAMRA and Campaign for Pubs, who have helped facilitate many successful community pub ventures.
We will continue to engage with Cherwell District Council, our Ward Councillors, MP, and others on the more 'official' side.
We will formalise STBIG, to create a not-for-profit legal entity.
The developer may appeal the planning decision. Of course if they do, we will again, and as many times as necessary, work tirelessly to oppose change of use. Thursday's decision is what we have always thought planning policy should mean, and the unanimous verdict of the Council's Planning Committee gives us a really strong position from which to oppose any appeal, or similar future planning application.
STBIG volunteers have so far self-funded the relatively modest cost of our campaign. It’s possible/ likely that we will at some point need professional advice and services and we will also therefore be doing some shorter-term campaign fundraising for those who would like and are able to donate (no amount is too small!) to help save The Bell!
Please do get in touch if you have any questions, or if you have skills or contacts who you believe could help push our campaign forward. Keep updated by regularly checking this website, Instagram, Facebook and the village notice boards.
The road to community pub ownership is rarely short or without bumps. But we are on it!
Again, thank you.
What does ACV status mean and how can it help?
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".