Residents in one of England's most photographed villages claim their idyllic existence has been shattered by a seemingly endless building project on a historic cottage. Locals in Bibury, Gloucestershire, say relentless renovation work on a Grade II-listed property on Awkward Hill has caused daily disruption since 2023, blighting the famously picturesque Arlington Row.
A Daily Struggle for Residents
Neighbours describe a constant battle with noise, roadblocks, and damaged verges as heavy trucks service the site. Victoria Summerville, 69, whose garden directly adjoins the cottage, said her view has been transformed into something resembling a "bombsight" for the past two years. "For me and all my other immediate neighbours, it is the inconvenience and the mess," she stated.
The situation is compounded by frequent access issues on the narrow lane. Ms Summerville explained that large delivery vehicles regularly block the road, preventing people from driving or even walking down to the village. She recounted one incident where a neighbour's son missed a train because their car was trapped. "When this happens day after day it becomes very wearying indeed," she added.
Parish Council and Architectural Plans
Bibury Parish Council chairman, Craig Chapman, said the village has endured "incredible disruption" for years. He confirmed the council is now objecting to further planning applications, stating on behalf of residents: "this has to stop." Mr Chapman questioned the scale of the works, notably an underground garage, asking: "how many Cotswolds cottages have underground garages?"
The latest approved plans for the cottage, submitted by consultants for the owner, include:
- Stripping and replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof on a utility room.
- Adding insulation to the same room.
- Building a "modest" oak-frame conservatory.
- Constructing a traditional stone summerhouse/office in the garden.
Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd, acting for the applicant, defended the project. He clarified that a major cause of disruption—the closure of Awkward Hill in 2023—was ordered by Gloucestershire Highways for safety repairs to a boundary wall, following a Parish Council comment. He stated the underground garage had full planning approval and was less obtrusive than a previously approved above-ground structure.
Frustration and a Call for an End
A long-term resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed being "very unhappy" with the project's duration, calling the works "inappropriate" for the setting. The resident cited constant noise, the destruction of grass verges on Awkward and Hawkers Hill, and the daily movement of heavy machinery.
Mr Chapman highlighted a key point of contention: the owners do not live at the property full-time. "They visit every so often, so they don't have to live with the disruption," he said. With no clear end in sight, the community in this celebrated corner of the Cotswolds is united in its desire for peace to be restored to what many consider England's prettiest street.
