In the heart of the Cotswolds, at the renowned ‘England’s prettiest street’ in Bibury, palm trees in the garden of Rosemary Cottage have become the focal point of a heated planning dispute. These Trachycarpus fortunei, or windmill palms, strung with fairy lights, stand conspicuously in a landscape otherwise known for its classic Cotswold charm.
Located on Awkward Hill, the cottage has been subject to years of disruptive construction that locals say is damaging the historic fabric of the area, which includes the celebrated Arlington Row. Since renovation works began in 2023 on this Grade II-listed property, residents express growing distress over the impact on the village’s character and daily life.
Current renovation plans involve replacing the original Cotswold stone slate roof, installing insulation in the utility room, and adding an oak conservatory and stone summerhouse. Earlier proposals even included an underground garage. Amid these changes, the palm trees have drawn sharp criticism.
Victoria Summerley, a nearby resident and gardening author, challenges claims made by Matthew Hollingsworth, the architect for the applicants, who stated the palms are part of the property’s history having stood there for over twenty years. Summerley points out that almost all other original garden features have been removed, leaving the palms uniquely prominent. This visibility is amplified by decorative fairy lights, making them impossible to overlook.
“While these windmill palms are hardy and mature, and I appreciate unusual plants in gardens, these two trees do not fit with the Cotswold surroundings,” Summerley said. “The original garden was once lush and filled with a variety of plants, presenting a natural green boundary above the stone wall. Now, with the other flora gone, these palms look stark and out of place.”
Tourists have also been taken aback by the sight, with some asking if the homeowner has connections to Dubai, underscoring the palms’ foreign appearance in this quintessential English village. Summerley insists that regulations for listed buildings and conservation areas demand that any alterations should preserve or enhance the local character—standards she believes these palm trees fail to meet.
“This isn’t about discouraging diversity in gardens but about maintaining the authenticity of a historic cottage and its setting. No reasonable person could argue that these tall palms enhance a traditional Cotswold home,” Summerley concluded.
Neither the property owner nor their architect has offered further comments on the matter.