Residents on what is often called England's prettiest street are embroiled in a fresh dispute, this time over a pair of illuminated palm trees they claim are more suited to Dubai than the historic Cotswolds.
A Picturesque Village Divided
The controversy centres on Rosemary Cottage on Arlington Row in Bibury, Gloucestershire, a location famed for its idyllic honey-coloured cottages. The property has been undergoing extensive renovation work since 2023, a process neighbours have described as creating a 'war zone' of noise and disruption.
Now, attention has turned to two palm trees in the garden, which have been adorned with fairy lights. Locals argue the illuminated trees appear 'so out of place' in the traditional setting. One critic remarked it looked like 'Dubai on your doorstep', while another suggested the scene would be more fitting for Benidorm.
History of the Palms vs. Current Prominence
Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd, representing the homeowner, defended the trees, stating they had been in situ for over 20 years and were being retained as part of the building's history.
However, next-door neighbour and writer Victoria Summerley countered this argument. She confirmed the palms were planted by a previous resident around 2012 but explained that as virtually all other vegetation in that part of the garden had been cleared, the trees now stand in stark isolation. 'Because these are the only two trees left standing here, they are particularly noticeable, and the fairy lights on them make them even more noticeable still,' she observed.
Ms Summerley firmly stated, 'I don't think anyone with any sense could argue that two tall palm trees enhance or preserve the character of a three-bed cottage in the Cotswolds.'
Ongoing Construction 'Sheer Hell' for Neighbours
The palm tree debate is the latest flashpoint in a long-running saga over the cottage's renovation. The couple purchased the property for £1.1 million in 2022, in an area where average house prices hover around £1.5 million.
Neighbours have reportedly endured constant noise, traffic problems and disturbance for years, with some even considering selling their homes due to the upheaval. The construction work has transformed the normally tranquil spot into a source of significant tension within the community.
Public reaction to the trees themselves remains split. While some have branded them an eyesore, others have come to their defence, with one commenter praising their survival in the UK climate and saying, 'They look great!' Despite this division, for many residents on iconic Arlington Row, the illuminated palms have become a symbol of unwanted change in their cherished corner of the Cotswolds.
