Controversial homeowners on England's prettiest street are forced into demolition works after claims they were turning historic cottage into 'monstrosity'

The controversial owners of a property on 'England's prettiest street' have been forced into demolition works after claims from neighbours they were turning their historic cottage into a 'monstrosity'.

Metin Dener and his wife Gulbin are facing a humiliating climbdown after being refused permission for a 'huge' outdoor fireplace and landscaping work.

The couple own a Grade II-listed property on Awkward Hill, Bibury, Gloucestershire, and have carried out years of development thought to have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But the scale of work has been dubbed 'cultural vandalism' and a 'flagrant disregard for the history and beauty of the area' by furious neighbours.

Years of construction at the cottage have seen a huge fireplace installed and infilling of a niche within a section of retaining wall – projects the couple now claim through their contractors they believed were authorised as 'permitted works'.

But the Grade II status of the cottage means these changes required planning permission, which was retrospectively rejected. 

They have now been forced to submit new plans to Cotswold District Council to rip down the outdoor fireplace and alter the landscaping work.

The Deners bought the cottage for £1.1million in 2022 and works have been ongoing since 2023. 

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

The couple now face having to tear down a large fireplace and fill in a niche in retaining wall - although the two massive palm trees they have installed will remain

The house being renovated is on Awkward Hill, a street filled with chocolate box cottages, where the average house prices are £1.5million (Pictured in December 2025)

Years of construction at the cottage have seen a huge fireplace installed and infilling of a niche within a section of retaining wall - projects the couple now claim through their contractors they believed were authorised as 'permitted works' (Pictured in December 2025) 

Years of construction at the cottage have seen a huge fireplace installed (pictured) and infilling of a niche within a section of retaining wall

They have withdrawn further proposals for an oak conservatory and stone summerhouse to be installed on the land, after also constructing an underground garage over the summer.

Two palm trees were also added to the front garden – festooned with fairy lights. 

Conservation officers have now said the planned changes are acceptable, and the application is set to be approved so demolition can begin.

The plan comprises removing the unauthorised fireplace and infilling a niche within a section of retaining wall.

It has also struck out attempts to construct stone steps leading through a lawned area and will see an unstable boundary wall rebuilt in traditional drystone to match the current height.

The officer wrote: 'This application resolves many of my previous concerns regarding the unauthorised and harmful works within the setting of the listed cottage.

'The outdoor fireplace is an uncharacteristic feature within the cottage's setting, and within the Bibury Conservation Area, which neither preserves nor enhances their respective significance.

'Therefore the removal of this unauthorised addition, and making good of this area with low stone planter walls and retaining wall to match the flanking masonry is accepted.

'The presence of an arch-headed niche within the northern section of retaining limestone wall enclosing two existing palm trees, facing outwards from the site, is an uncharacteristic feature that harms the setting of the listed building and the appearance of the conservation area.

'The infilling of this niche with plain, dry-jointed limestone to match the adjacent masonry work is acceptable.'

The couple installed the large fireplace (right) and two huge palm trees into their garden, which is clearly visible from the public road

Conservation officers have now said the planned changes are acceptable, and the application is set to be approved so demolition can begin

Residents say that years of construction work have turned the property into a 'monstrosity'

Bibury, in the Cotswolds, is famous for its beauty and tourists from all over the world flock to the area

Many local residents said they were 'horrified' by the damage that has been done (Pictured: December 2025)

The officer said further details of the landscaping plan allowing safety railing to be installed in the section of the retaining wall between the cottage and palm trees would need further assessment.

They added: 'Confirmation of the height of the dwarf wall between the parking area and garden is required, as are details and justification of the proposed railings to the retaining wall between the cottage and the palm trees.'

They said the omission of the previously proposed 'sweeping stone steps' through a lawned area was 'welcomed' and said the appearance of the reconstructed collapsed wall was now 'reasonable'.

They added: 'The previous, refused scheme sought to erect a stone dwarf wall between the parking area and garden, with railings and double-leaf pedestrian gate, which was considered to be inappropriate to the character of the listed building and its conservation area setting.

'As such, the amended proposal to erect a low stone wall with a dog-leg northern extent to intersect the taller section of northern boundary wall is acceptable in principle.'

In refusing the previous application, officers said its listed status meant the council was 'statutorily required' to pay special attention to the 'desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area'.

They said it had failed to preserve the setting of the Grade I-listed Arlington Row, and the character and appearance of the Bibury Conservation Area, 'diminishing their significance as designated heritage assets'.

They added: 'Whilst the level of harm to significance is considered less than substantial, it is still notable and not outweighed by sufficient public benefits to justify the harm caused.'

Local residents living on the street have previously expressed outrage about the ongoing development.

David Jacobs, 46, who has lived in the village for eight years, told the Daily Mail earlier this year the work has made him consider moving and selling his property.

He said: 'This building work has been more than awkward. It's been a nightmare.

'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.'

Another said: 'Nobody's very happy about it. There's somebody actually living there now.

'It was a tiny Cotswolds cottage and now look - it's become a monstrosity.

'Hopefully there's not more building work to come but they don't seem to be stopping.'

Multiple previous applications have been submitted over the years for the cottage that included stripping and replacing the Cotswold stone slate roof tiles as well as adding insulation to a utility room.

But the works, which have been carried out since 2023, have caused constant noise and disruption for other residents.

Trucks that service the site churn up the verges and block their gates, they said, adding they have been left 'horrified' by the damage that has been done.

Bibury Parish Council said previously: 'The fireplace is huge, not in keeping with its surroundings, especially as curtilage on a very important Grade 2 historic cottage.

'The whole area is recognised as an area of national importance and special character.

'From various angles the chimney can be seen and changes the historic view.'

The council also requested the planning officer to monitor the site more regularly, as a whole site rather than individual projects.

In their latest application, the applicants claimed they had thought the work already  carried out was 'permitted development'.

Their representatives said in a statement: 'Due to the lack of clarity on what is permissible at present in relation to landscaping works within the garden all works on site, including previously approved works, have been halted until these details can be resolved.

'The landscape contractor has undertaken works which he understood would normally be considered permitted development, but are without consent in the grounds of this listed building and this application seeks to remove those items from the site, namely the outdoor fireplace and the niche in the planter around the palm trees.'

The representative added: 'Over the course of the last two-to-three years there have been works undertaken on this site and in addition considerable works to the mains drainage causing road closures and works to other building works in the village elsewhere which have caused local inconvenience and disturbance.

'The contractors on this site has tried to inform residents of deliveries and material removals where possible, however communication has not always been possible to be maintained.

'The client and contractors understand this causes frustration, however how construction is undertaken is not something that is under the control of the current planning system.

'The contractors have also been in regular dialogue with the Highways department who have agreed that any road repairs or verge repairs are undertaken at the client's cost at the end of the project.'

A final decision on the application will be made by Cotswold District Council in due course.