'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'
06:00, 05 Jan 2026
Palm trees decorated with fairy lights in the garden of a house at the centre of a planning row in “England’s prettiest street” have been described as “so out of place”
The Trachycarpus fortunei, also known as the windmill palm, are in the garden at Rosemary Cottage in Awkward Hill in Bibury.
The property is at the centre of a row as residents complain of years of disruptive construction works which they say are wrecking the area which includes Hawkers HIll and Arlington Row – widely regarded as the most beautiful street in England.
Villagers say they are “horrified” by the damage that has been done and the impact the works are having on their lives since works at a grade II-listed cottage began in 2023.
The latest plans for Rosemary Cottage Hill include the stripping and replacement of Cotswold stone slate roof tiles as well as adding insulation to a utility room.
And there are plans for an oak conservatory and stone summerhouse; there have been previous proposals for an underground garage at the site.
Bibury resident and garden author Victoria Summerley has responded to comments the applicant’s architect made about the palm trees in the garden in a previous story on the row.
Matthew Hollingsworth of Spirit Architecture Ltd said: “One commenter refers to the palm trees on site, this is an odd comment as these have been there for well over 20 years and my client has tried to retain these as they are part of the history of the building.”
Ms Summerley, who lives next door, said more or less everything else in that part of the garden has been removed apart from the palm trees making them particularly noticeable.
Tourists often comment about the trees as they go past the home, she said.
"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.
"The trees are Trachycarpus fortunei, also known as the windmill palm. They are hardy in the UK, and these are now mature specimens which are lovely.
"We all have plants in our gardens which come from all over the world. Keen gardeners love to grow unusual specimens, and as someone who writes books about gardens, I would be very unhappy about the idea of dictating what plants can be grown where.
"However, to say that these trees are part of the history of Rosemary Cottage when everything else in this part of the garden - more or less - has been removed strikes me as a little disingenuous.
"These palm trees were originally part of a lush, green garden at the side of the house bordering the lane, which contained many more plants and a small pond. The original view of the house from the lane was of an abundance of greenery above the stone wall.
"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.
"I love fairy lights, and I love palm trees, but I think it is a little unrealistic of the owner of this property and of Mr Hollingsworth to think that people are not going to comment on something which looks so out of place in the Cotswolds. Tourists often comment as they go past and have asked me if the owner is from Dubai.
"As far as I know, the rules governing changes or alterations to listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas require that any development preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the area.
“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."
Mr Hollingsworth and the applicant have declined to comment.