Residents of Bibury, a village in the Cotswolds often called England's prettiest, have successfully opposed plans for a new cafe, citing the impact of overtourism on their community. The proposal, submitted by Bibury Trout Farm, aimed to convert a storage area in existing barns into a cafe and shopping space.
Villagers unite against development
The plans were rejected by Cotswold District Council after 100 villagers lodged objections. Bibury Parish Council argued the village could not withstand more visitors, stating that overtourism is having a negative impact on the local environment, community, and overall visitor experience.
The council's objection noted: "The council agrees that overtourism by the Trout farm, resulting high volumes of visitors, is having a negative impact on the local environment, community, and the overall visitor experience."
Road safety and congestion concerns
The council highlighted that Ablington Lane is "constantly grid locked" and that verges are "eroded by tourist vehicles." It warned that a new cafe would exacerbate parking and access issues, causing danger to pedestrians and drivers.
A total of 102 third-party objections were raised, covering congestion, pedestrian safety, harm to the village's historic character, and increased noise. Planners acknowledged the "scale and form" of the development was appropriate but recommended refusal due to highways concerns.
Unanimous rejection
Councillors voted unanimously to reject the proposal on August 11. Conservative councillor David Fowles said Ablington Lane is "frequently gridlocked" with no safe pedestrian access, adding: "Pedestrians have to run the gauntlet across the highway. It is a very dangerous situation."
Bibury has also seen a separate planning battle over renovations at Rosemary Cottage, which have been criticized as a "flagrant disregard for the history and beauty of the area." The applicants defended the work, citing limited vehicle access due to narrow roads and high tourist numbers.
