Metin and Gulbin Dener, the Turkish owners of a Grade-II listed cottage on Arlington Row in Bibury, England, have been ordered by Cotswold District Council to tear down an unauthorised outdoor fireplace. The council determined that the additions, including an underground garage and other renovations, would damage the 'rural and historic character' of the area, which is renowned as one of England's most picturesque villages.
The decision came after the couple failed to secure retrospective planning permission for the outdoor fireplace, which was built without prior consent. The council's planning department described the additions as 'visually intrusive, uncharacteristic and overly engineered', stating that they erode the heritage of the site and fail to preserve the significance of designated assets like Arlington Row and Rosemary Cottage.
Residents of Bibury have been complaining about the ongoing construction work since 2023, citing noise, disruption, and a perceived degradation of the village's historic ambiance. Locals have described the property as a 'monstrosity' and the works as turning the idyllic village into 'sheer hell'. The couple purchased the cottage for £1.1 million in 2022, with renovation works commencing shortly thereafter.
A representative for the Deners has countered these claims, stating that the footprint of the property has only increased by 1.2 square meters and that much of the construction involved essential repairs to drainage and retaining walls. They also noted that the slow pace of work was due to limited vehicle access and the complexity of building on a steeply sloping site, compounded by the high number of tourists.
Bibury Parish Council had also opposed the fireplace, calling it 'huge' and out of keeping with its surroundings. Other resisted planning applications by the couple included proposals to replace traditional Cotswold stone slate roof tiles and add insulation to a utility room. The Deners also added two palm trees to the front garden, which were decorated with fairy lights.
The Cotswolds village of Bibury, particularly Arlington Row with its 17th-century weavers' cottages, attracts tourists from around the world. The cottages themselves have a history dating back to around 1380, originally serving as a monastic sheephouse before being converted into dwellings. Despite the residents' and council's objections, the couple retains the option to appeal the council's decision regarding the fireplace.