Issue - meetings

Refused against officer recommendation. Reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The committee considered application 24/03218/F for the change of use of The Bell Inn Public House (Sui Generis Use) to use as a dwellinghouse (Class C3 Use) and associated minor external alterations to the building and works at Church View Manor Road, Great Bourton, OX17 1QP for Mr James Day.

Councillor Chris Brant addressed the Committee as Local Ward Member.

Christopher Handler, on behalf of Save the Bell Inn Group, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Will Whitelock, agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee in support to the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Webb and seconded by Councillor Watkins that application 24/03218/F be refused, contrary to the officer recommendation, for the reasons that the application was contrary to paragraphs P88 and P98 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and that there would be substantial socio-economic and wellbeing harm to the surrounding village. The application was also contrary to policy S29.  

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, written updates and the addresses of the public speakers.

Resolved

That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, application 24/03218/F be refused for the following reason:

1.         The proposal would result in the unjustified loss of the public house, a valued village service and designated Asset of Community Value. The applicant has failed to robustly demonstrate that the pub is no longer financially viable. The loss of this important community facility would cause significant harm to the social and economic well-being of the village, contrary to saved Policy S29 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996, which aims to retain community facilities, Paragraph 88 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which seeks to retain public houses, and Paragraph 98 of the NPPF, which guards against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities.