Snowshill, the Cotswolds village featured in the 2001 film 'Bridget Jones's Diary', is at the centre of a dispute over new planning rules. Tewkesbury Borough Council has imposed an Article 4 Direction, requiring residents to seek permission for even minor alterations such as installing a patio, changing window frames, or painting exterior walls.
The regulations aim to protect the village's heritage, but many locals argue they are overly restrictive and costly. Rose, a resident who moved to Snowshill four years ago, described the process as 'painful' and said the rules feel like 'climbing a hill' for simple tasks like putting up a fence. She believes tourism, not home improvements, is the real threat to the village's character.
Kim, a 40-year resident, questioned how the council would enforce the rules and highlighted practical concerns, such as replacing a damaged fence for child safety. She noted that the cost of a planning application under Article 4 is higher than a standard one, which may lead people to ignore the rules.
However, some residents support the measures. Sheila Wilks, 85, who has lived in Snowshill her entire life, said the rules have 'come too late' and that the village has already been 'ruined' by holiday lets. Her husband Peter added that many homes are now Airbnbs, and tourist minibuses frequently block roads.
The divide reflects broader tensions between preserving heritage and accommodating modern needs, with the village's fame from the Bridget Jones film adding pressure from tourism.
