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.
Even in its current sad state with the sign gone, the interior ripped out and a developer determined to take it away from us, The Bell Inn is still bringing the community together. We’ve had an incredible response to our campaign so far with almost 240 objections logged on the Cherwell Council planning portal, thousands of views of our instagram posts and over a thousand visits to this site.
HUGE THANKS to each and every person who took the time to make their voice heard. This amazing support has already made a difference, the application is no longer delegated but will be heard in a public planning meeting. This meeting will be open to the public and now that the council have their own financial viability report published on the planning portal we expect that it will be discussed at the 15th May meeting at 4pm. This will be confirmed once the agenda is published around 8th May. The venue will be the new council HQ at 39 Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5FD. We urge those that are available to try to attend the meeting. STBIG will be presenting the case against the application and will get 5 minutes to do so.
Unfortunately the planning portal is now closed for additional comments, we will keep you informed if this changes, but you can still use the link below to view the status of the application and read through some of the comments submitted, including the official response from STBIG (Save The Bell Inn Group) which includes a detailed financial projection for The Bell Inn as a community pub.
Another huge positive is the application for The Bell Inn as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been approved by Cherwell District Council (please read below for more information on ACV status). Many thanks to STBIG and the Parish Council for their hard work and support in gaining this status.
Hopefully this important milestone will help us to Save The Bell.
You may have seen albeit briefly that STBIG have placed some posters around the village to raise awareness of the campaign, however it has come to our attention that the developer has been taking these down, he has removed 11 of them so far. This is a very petty and childish attempt at curtailing our right to free speech.
Should you wish to download a poster and place in your window or on your private property then please click here
Alternatively we can provide you with posters on wooden signs for you to place on your property, just get in touch with us via email or contact one of the STBIG members who can be found here.
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".