A controversial property on what is often called 'England's prettiest street' is once again at the centre of a bitter dispute, as the owner presses ahead with new renovations despite fierce opposition from locals and the parish council.
Ongoing Renovations Spark Anger
Metin Dener, the owner of Rosemary Cottage on Awkward Hill in Bibury, is continuing with plans to build an outdoor fireplace and an underground car park. The works have been described by residents as a 'flagrant disregard for the history and beauty of the area,' turning the Grade II-listed cottage into a 'monstrosity.'
The long-running row over the property has seen years of construction, with locals claiming the noise and disruption have blighted their lives. Despite previous hopes that the development had been halted, new plans have been submitted for materials for the underground car park, confirming that work is still ongoing.
Council Objects to Outdoor Fireplace
Bibury Parish Council has lodged fresh objections to a second live application for an outdoor fireplace, which is currently under consideration. The council stated: 'The fireplace is huge, not in keeping with its surroundings, especially as curtilage on a very important Grade 2 historic cottage. The whole area is recognised as an area of national importance and special character. From various angles, the chimney can be seen and changes the historic view.'
The parish council also noted that the fireplace has been built 'in a contrary position' to the local plan. It added: 'The Parish Council have serious concerns about the care and competency of the site advisors/architects allowing such construction to take place on this historically sensitive site without seeking planning permission. We again request the planning officer monitor the site more regularly, as a whole site rather than individual projects.'
Residents Express Displeasure
Residents living on the street expressed their frustration. One said: 'Nobody's very happy about it. There's somebody actually living there now. It will be three years in July, it was a tiny, tiny Cotswolds Cottage, and now look. It's become a monstrosity. Hopefully, there's no more building work, but they don't seem to be stopping. We have said everything there is to say.'
Previous plans for the cottage included stripping and replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof tiles and adding insulation to a utility room. Applications were also submitted for an oak conservatory and a stone summerhouse. Locals claim the works, carried out since 2023, have caused constant noise and disruption, with trucks servicing the site churning up verges and blocking gates, causing 'horrifying' damage.
Developer's Response
A spokesperson for Spirit Architecture Ltd, representing the owner, said: 'The Awkward Hill road was closed by Gloucestershire Highways in 2023 after they received comments from the Parish Council regarding the condition of the retaining drystone boundary wall of Rosemary Cottage, and Highways then issued an enforcement notice to my client to make repairs. My client had to then pay for the rebuilding of this 3m+ high retaining wall to current safety standards. Closing the road obviously upset a lot of residents, but it was the Parish Council who initiated this and the highways authority who instructed this work; it was not initiated by my client.'
They added that access to the underground garage, which has full planning approval, has been delayed because of additional flood risk assessments required by the Parish Council.
