Rejection of plan to convert pub into home appealed

The Bell Inn - as it stood in 2023 - was sold by Hook Norton Brewery last year

An appeal has been lodged against a local authority after it refused plans to turn an Oxfordshire village pub into a family home.

Cherwell District Council's decision to reject plans to convert the former Bell Inn, in Great Bourton, Oxfordshire, was met with applause at a meeting in May.

James Day has now launched an appeal against the council's verdict on his plans for the future of the former pub, which closed in 2023.

Dozens of locals have already objected to the appeal, after more than 230 came out against the initial plans and launched the 'Save The Bell Inn' campaign.

In his appeal letter, Mr Day said his proposals were fully justified, and that the reopening of the pub was not financially viable.

He also argued that the loss of a community facility would not cause significant economic or social harm to the north Oxfordshire village.

Councillor Chris Brant is part of the 'Save The Bell Inn' campaign

But councillor Chris Brant, who represents Great Bourton on both the district and county council, said appealing the decision would set a dangerous precedent for rural pubs.

"This is not simply about a building - it is about whether communities have any real protection against losing their last remaining social spaces," he said.

"If this appeal is allowed, it will send a message to every village that a pub can simply be closed, abandoned, and turned into a house.

"We cannot allow that precedent to be set."

"The Bell Inn can still have a future in community hands. The people of Great Bourton have shown their will to save it."

In a letter calling for the planning inspector to reject the appeal, Cherwell District Council wrote that Mr Day had "failed to satisfactorily demonstrate that the existing use could not be viable".

"The Council considers that the Public House has been an asset in the past and has potential to be an asset in the future," it added.

Hook Norton Brewery sold the pub last year, and said that it was no longer commercially viable to keep it open.