Summary
The public gallery erupted with cheer and applause as planners rejected a bid to convert a much-loved Cirencester pub. Plans to turn the Twelve Bells in Lewis Lane into a residential home with a bed and breakfast outbuilding to the rear were debated by Cotswold District Council this week. Hywel James’ proposals for the pub , which has been closed since its sale in 2024, were recommended for approval. However, the plans sparked a huge public outcry as more than 150 people along with the Town Council objected. James Brown, an objector, said the Twelve Bells is “clearly” a valuable community asset and this is shown by the more than 150 objections to the plans. He said: “Even immediate neighbours have not supported the proposal which is unusual when a pub closure is involved.” Mr Brown said the proposals would bring “no public benefits, only harm”. View 8 Images The interior of the Twelve Bells in Lewis Lane, Cirencester. (Image: CDC/Hywel James/McLoughlin Planning) “Against this the pub hosted four darts teams, crib team, served as a meeting place for the bellrings, women’s institute, history society and many other local people and visitors. Joe Seymour, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said officers judged the proposed change of use is acceptable. View 8 Images A layout showing the proposed ground floor at The Twelve Bells in Cirencester. (Image: CDC/Hywel James/McLoughlin Planning) “The previous landlords tried to pass the torch but no publicans, landlords or breweries were prepared to accept it. “Some members of the public are understandably sad about the prospect of the pub changing to a different use but it isn’t decisions made by committees like this that close pubs. Liberal Democrat Councillor Joe Harris, who represents the St Michael’s area, said the plans would not deliver any “clear public benefit” and would result in “permanent irreversible harm” with the loss of the pub. View 8 Images Plans to change the use of The Twelve Bells in Lewis Lane, Cirencester have been rejected. (Image: CDC/Hywel James/McLoughlin Planning) “We talk about Twelve Bells but I’m getting alarm bells looking att this application, that’s for sure,” he said during the meeting. “Whether the loss of a valued community asset in a sensitive historic setting is justified by any public benefit. He said the applicant’s sale particulars described the business generated adjusted net profits of around £150,000. “That is not a marginal business, particularly in the pub trade, it is a profitable one with identified scope to grow further through increased trading hours, food and sales.” View 8 Images Cotswold District Council’s offices in Cirencester. (Image: CDC) Independent Councillor Nikki Ind (Tetbury East & Rural), who was brought up in Cirencester, said the Twelve Bells was one of the only pubs left in the south. She said that area of the town has “lost everything” from a pub point of view. View 8 Images Independent Councillor Nikki Ind spoke of all the pubs which Cirencester has lost over the years. (Image: CDC) “In the last 30 years, we’ve lost the Queen’s Head in Watermoor Road,” she said. “We’ve lost the Waggon and Horses on London Road, we’ve lost The Foresters at the bottom of Victoria Road, Queen Street and that’s all in that south area and The Oddfellows in Chester Street. “All of those pubs were to the south of Lewis Lane. All of the other pubs in the Cirencester town centre are above.” Conservative Councillor David Fowles (Coln Valley), who is a town guide, said they do an annual pub around Cirencester and go around buildings which were former pubs. View 8 Images Conservative David Fowles represens Coln Valley at Cotswold District Council (Image: North Cotswold Conservatives) He said over 100 years ago there were 80 pubs in Cirencester. “I think there are about seven viable pubs in Cirencester with a population that’s increased in size. It seems crazy. He has campaigned to save other pubs and said “once they are gone, they are gone. They don’t come back.” He concluded that he did not think the public benefit was outweighed by the proposal and said he would vote against the application. He recommended refusal and this was seconded by Cllr Daryl…