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.
The Bell has been more than a business—it’s been a gathering place for generations. It supports local jobs, fosters connection, and provides a space where everyone feels welcome.
Allowing it to be turned into a house isn’t just about losing a pub, it’s about losing a piece of our community’s identity. By standing together, we can ensure The Bell continues to serve its true purpose—bringing people together.
Its not too late, your support can make a real difference, please take some time to read through the information on this site and then follow the link to the Cherwell planning portal to add your objection - every single objection matters, and each person in your household can make their own objection.
Please bear in mind, whilst your opinions will definitely add to the community support that we can demonstrate, we won’t succeed on emotion and sentiment alone. Take a little time to look at the information below on planning policy and the key factors that are relevant from a planning perspective that you may want to include in your objection. You don’t need to live in the Bourtons to make an objection you just need to value a pub as the heart of a community.
The Leader of the Conservative Group on Cherwell District Council, Cllr Eddie Reeves, has created a petition to give The Bell Inn, the best possible chance of staying as a pub, click here to sign the petition.
Information to Support Your Objection
The developer’s application says that the Bell Inn is not valued by the community. We know this is not true. We need your responses to make this point, and back up your opinions with the planning legislation and guidance- this will add weight to your objection. We have summarised some of the key points below and there is more detail available here if you want to learn more.
Planning rules support the retention of pubs to support rural communities - you can quote NPPF Paragraph 88.d to support this point
Pubs promote healthy and safe communities - you can quote NPPF paragraph 97.a to make this point
Pubs are important in helping rural communities be sustainable (NPPF Section 8,p97)
The Cherwell Local Plan says Proposals that involve the loss of existing village services which serve the basic needs of the local community will not normally be permitted (S29)
The District Council (P4.72) recognises the importance of village services (particularly the pub) to the local community and will seek to resist the loss of such facilities where possible
The developer’s application also says that the pub isn’t financially viable. Most of the information he provides comes from a template, or generic material - even though it looks professional and detailed. It does not consider alternative models of running The Bell such as a community owned pub. There are several local examples of successfully run community pubs such as The Yew Tree in Avon Dassett, The Merrie Lion in Fenny Compton, The Red Lion in Northend, and the The Red Lion in Evenley.
We would ask you to consider whether you think the assumptions in the Planning Application are fair, accurate, sound and free of developer bias. You can comment on this in your objection.