A couple accused of ruining Britain’s ‘prettiest street’ with their ‘warzone renovations’ have caused further uproar by covering palm trees in lights – with locals moaning ‘this is the Cotswolds, not Dubai‘.
Residents of picturesque Bibury say their chocolate-box village is being wrecked due to ongoing construction work at a Grade-II listed cottage.
Last week, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed the owners are Metin Dener and his wife Gulbin – a wealthy couple from Turkey – who are said to be living outside the UK while the house is transformed.
Their property is located on Awkward Hill, which is widely considered to be one of nicest looking roads in Britain.
But the ‘endless’ building work, which has lasted a number of years and is thought to have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, has been blasted as ‘cultural vandalism’ by infuriated residents.
Now villagers say two decorated palm trees at the cottage are ‘so out of place’ they would be more in keeping with places like Dubai and Benidorm.
But Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd said the palm trees have been there for at least 20 years and these were two features his clients tried to keep.
Palm trees decorated with fairy lights in the garden of a house at the centre of a planning row in ‘England’s prettiest street’ in Bibury
Families say that ‘England’s prettiest street’ in Bibury has been ruined by relentless building work on the couple’s Grade II-listed cottage (pictured)
The homeowners at the centre of a major planning row on Britain’s ‘prettiest street’, Metin and Gulbin Dener, pictured at the Savoy in London in 2017
Bibury resident and author Victoria Summerley who lives next door also responded to the comments about the palm trees.
‘Matthew Hollingsworth is absolutely right about the palm trees,’ she said.
‘They were planted by a previous neighbour who was living here when I moved to Bibury in 2012.’
Ms Summerly added that tourists often comment about the two palm trees in the garden of the house on Awkward Hill.
She said: ‘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.’
However, people took to the comments to share their thoughts on the decorated palm trees – with some saying they look ‘awful’.
One said: ‘Looks like Dubai on your doorstep!
Another added: ‘Would look better in Benidorm Spain.’
Ms Summerley said: ‘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.’
Villagers say two decorated palm trees at the cottage are ‘so out of place’ they would be more in keeping with places like Dubai and Benidorm
The latest plans for the cottage include stripping and replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof tiles, as well as adding insulation to a utility room
During the works on the cottage, an ambulance was blocked from going down the road when it was closed, meaning an injured woman had to be put on a stretcher to get to safety
Neighbours previously said that the renovations on Awkward Hill have made their lives ‘sheer hell’ with constant noise, disruption and traffic issues.
One local told the Daily Mail: ‘The owners don’t live there. They visit every so often, so they don’t have to live with the disruption.’
The road outside the property was closed for a year while initial renovations were carried out, meanwhile trucks churn up verges and block neighbours’ gates with ‘dodgy’ parking.
The latest plans for the cottage include stripping and replacing traditional Cotswold stone slate roof tiles, as well as adding insulation to a utility room.
Plans for an oak conservatory have also been submitted.
Previous plans include proposals for an underground garage at the site, which locals said has been built.
David Jacons, 45, who has lived in the village for eight years, said the work has made him consider moving and selling his property.
He urged the couple to ‘please stop’.
He said: ‘This building work has been more than awkward. It’s been a nightmare.
Pictured: Gulbin posing in front of Awkward Hill and Arlington Row, considered Britain’s prettiest street, years before its purchase
‘What’s the point of this being a conservation area? How this has all gone ahead is beyond me. The work has been unreal. It’s been a complete farce.
‘It looks like a war zone.
‘The roads have been blocked, we can’t park anywhere. The vehicles associated with the project park up the curb and on verges. They’ve ruined grass.
‘It’s been appalling. I don’t want to live here anymore, frankly. I have had enough. I am considering selling.
‘I came here for its charm but there’s not much charm anymore.’
In a plea to the owners, he told our reporter: ‘Enough is enough, please stop. We’ve had enough. It’s been an absolute nightmare.
‘Please take on board what people are saying and stop. Leave the property alone and either move in and live there and leave it or sell it for someone else.
‘It’s a stunning home and it’s just being constantly messed with. The noise, disruption and what it is doing to people is really impacting our mental health.’