Residents of the charming village of Bibury in the Cotswolds are raising concerns that years of building work are spoiling the beauty of what is known as England’s prettiest street. The focus of these worries is a Grade-II listed property on Awkward Hill, a road famed for its picturesque charm and closely linked with Arlington Row.
Since 2023, the renovation of Rosemary Cottage has led to an unrelenting stream of trucks, heavy machinery, and construction noise. Locals report that the verges along Awkward Hill and neighboring Hawkers Hill have been churned to mud, while delivery vehicles frequently block narrow lanes and residents’ access to their homes.
Victoria Summerville, a neighbor directly facing the renovation site, described the daily disruption: “Instead of looking out at grass and gardens, for two years I’ve been staring at what looks like a bombsite.” She detailed the frustration of being frequently blocked by cement lorries and large vehicles, which prevent both driving and walking along the lane. One resident even missed a train recently because of the obstruction.
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Many villagers, some living here over three decades, say the scale and length of the project are entirely inappropriate for a small historic cottage. They express distress at the “constant noise, disruption, and destruction of the verges,” with the damage to the turning area at the top of the hill worsening over time.
Craig Chapman, chairman of the local community group, condemned the ongoing work and said residents have now formally objected to further planning applications. He criticized certain additions, including an underground garage, as being out of character with the traditional Cotswold aesthetic. “How many Cotswold cottages have underground garages?” he remarked.
In defense, consultants for the owners emphasized that all works have been conducted with planning approval, including repairs to the drystone boundary wall ordered by Gloucestershire Highways for safety reasons. They described the oak conservatory as a modest extension and said landscaping and repair works are properly progressing despite the site’s challenging hillside location and limited access.
They also noted that the underground garage replaces a previously approved above-ground one and claimed the building works are meant to preserve the historic structure. Regarding the palm trees that were mentioned by some locals, the applicants clarified these have existed on the property for over 20 years and form part of the cottage’s unique character.
Despite these assurances, the villagers remain weary of the ongoing disruption and strongly hope the construction—and the turmoil it brings—will soon come to an end, allowing Arlington Row’s unparalleled charm to be restored.