A longstanding planning dispute on a street hailed as ‘England’s prettiest’ in Bibury, Gloucestershire, has escalated following a police investigation into an alleged shooting incident.
The controversy centers around construction work at Rosemary Cottage on Awkward Hill, a Grade-II listed property nestled in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Neighbors have voiced concerns for years, describing ongoing developments as a “flagrant disregard for the history and beauty of the area.”
Tensions heightened earlier this week when armed police attended the site after a construction vehicle’s window was shattered on the morning of January 12. Although officers have confirmed damage to the excavator, there is currently no evidence that a shot was fired. Investigations—including CCTV review, house-to-house inquiries, and forensic examinations—are ongoing as authorities seek information about the incident.
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Amid these events, a former long-term resident now living in London formally objected to the latest planning proposal submitted in November. The plans include adding a conservatory to the existing extension and erecting a stone summerhouse. She described the proposals as “an extreme overdevelopment” inconsistent with the surrounding area’s character, urging the council to reject the application to protect the community’s historic integrity.
The development involves replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof tiles, adding insulation to a utility room, and constructing an underground garage that has already received planning approval. Consultant Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd clarified that the underground garage replaces a previously approved above-ground version and that necessary repairs to a drystone retaining wall mandated by Gloucestershire Highways have delayed progress. He emphasized that improvements, including landscaping and maintenance of the listed building’s fabric, are underway and that the presence of palm trees on-site is historical and preserved.
Local residents from Arlington Row, Awkward Hill, and Hawkers Hill have criticized the project, citing repeated noise, disruption, and damage to verges and access gates caused by construction traffic since work began in 2023.
Gloucestershire Constabulary appeals to anyone with information related to the recent damage incident to come forward as investigations continue.