Residents of Bibury, a charming village in the Cotswolds, have raised concerns that “England’s prettiest street” is being marred by ongoing construction work at a Grade-II listed cottage on Awkward Hill. The long-running renovations, which began in 2023, have caused considerable disruption to locals living along Arlington Row, a road renowned for its picturesque appeal.
Neighbours report daily roadblocks due to trucks and heavy machinery servicing the site, which have churned up verges and frequently obstructed access. Victoria Summerville, 69, a close neighbour to Rosemary Cottage, shared her frustration: “Instead of looking out onto grass or a garden, for two years I’ve looked out over what feels like a bombsite.”
The current plans include replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof, adding insulation to a utility room, constructing an oak conservatory, and building a stone summerhouse. An underground garage, previously proposed, is also under way with full planning approval, replacing a prior above-ground design.
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Summerville described the ongoing hardship: “Huge vehicles use a narrow lane originally meant for cars and bins. Cement lorries arrive regularly, blocking the hill and preventing residents from accessing or leaving the village. One neighbour missed a train recently because of the delays caused by blocking lorries. This constant disruption wears on everyone.”
Another long-term resident, speaking anonymously, voiced displeasure at the length and nature of the project: “This scale of work is not appropriate for a small historic cottage. There’s daily noise, constant disturbance, and damage to the verges on Awkward and Hawkers Hill.”
Craig Chapman, Chairman of Bibury’s local committee, echoed these sentiments, highlighting years of “incredible disruption” caused by the renovations. He added, “All the verges have been ripped up, and the turning area at the top has been heavily damaged. On behalf of residents, we object to further planning applications. The underground garage, in particular, is out of character with traditional Cotswold cottages.”
In response, representatives for the property owner stated that the roof repairs use reclaimed Cotswold stone slate, preserving the building’s character. The oak conservatory is described as a modest kitchen extension with traditional materials, and the summerhouse is a simple design approved during pre-application discussions.
Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd explained the road closure in 2023 was mandated by Gloucestershire Highways after concerns over the retaining wall’s condition. “The road closure upset many, but it was initiated by the Parish Council and enforced by Highways for safety reasons. My client rebuilt the 3-meter-high retaining wall to current standards at their own expense.”
He confirmed that the underground garage has full planning approval and replaces an above-ground garage, reducing visual impact. Delays were caused by additional flood risk assessments requested by the Parish Council, which ultimately found no risk.
Hollingsworth added, “Landscaping works approved by planning are ongoing. Given the narrow site access and the drystone construction, progress takes time. Repairs to the listed building’s fabric are generally welcomed.”
Regarding comments about palm trees on the property, he noted they have existed there for over 20 years and have been retained as part of the site’s history.