Life on England's prettiest street: Homeowners' battle 'land grabbing' foreign neighbours 'turning the village into a film set and planning warzone renovations'

By ISAAC CROWSON and JORDANA SEAL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 00:49, 6 May 2026 | Updated: 00:49, 6 May 2026 Residents living on Britain's 'prettiest street' are fed up with multiple foreign buyers 'ruining' their rural lifestyles.  Bulgarian Yani Minkov bought his stunning Cotswolds property in 2012 but locals claim he barely lives in the famous Bibury hamlet, where average house prices sit at £1.5million. They have accused their neighbour of a 'land grab' and of not appreciating his sought-after post code, revealing the property sits empty and is bolted at the gate.   When the Daily Mail visited on Wednesday, nobody answered the door but neighbours were keen to criticise foreign buyers.  It comes as tensions have exploded on the country lanes of the picture-postcard community in Oxfordshire. Just next door a Turkish couple sparked fresh fury with 'warzone' renovation plans – despite earlier hopes their building work had been 'coming to an end'. Metin Dener and his wife Gulbin own a Grade-II listed property on Awkward Hill are behind 'endless' building work, which has lasted a number of years and is thought to have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, has been blasted as 'cultural vandalism'. To add insult to injury, it has emerged the couple are now looking to add a 'huge' outdoor fireplace to their precious cottage, as well as an underground car park but objections have rolled in with bosses at Cotswold District Council currently considering its approval. Residents living on Britain's 'prettiest street' are fed up with multiple foreign buyers 'ruining' their rural lifestyles The cottages (seen in 1901) were converted into dwellings in the early 17th century from a monastic sheephouse dating back to around 1380 Pictured: Metin Dener sporting a sleek black suit, sitting beside his wife Gulbin, dressed in a white dress and laced pillbox hat, at London's five-star Savoy Hotel Living directly opposite them is author Victoria Summerley, 69, who moved to the village 15 years ago for 'peace and quiet'. She said: 'The vast majority of residents get on and apart from this application I have had no trouble. 'It's a stunning village. I love it. But this planning dispute has been going on for years now and everyone is fed up. 'It should be a peaceful Cotswold village without drama. But our lives are on tender hooks with these applications. 'The couple stayed here a few weeks ago over Easter. It's noticeable that when they stay there, the work stops. But when they go, it starts again and we have to put up with all of the disruption.' The historic gabled cottages were converted into homes for weavers in the 17th century from a monastic sheephouse, dating back to around 1380, typically attracting retirees looking for a quiet village lifestyle.  Lady Anne Evans who owns a cafe and gallery called Eleven Bibury described the essence of the village as 'special'.  She said: 'Bibury is such a special place. The history is so deep and rich. I have lived here for 25 years. I love it. Tensions have exploded on the country lanes of the picture-postcard community in Oxfordshire Living directly opposite them is author Victoria Summerley, 69, who moved to the village 15 years ago for 'peace and quiet'  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 'I think it's a privilege to live here. I welcome all visitors. We have London standards but in the countryside. 'I don't know how the planning application got to this position. Planning laws are planning laws. 'The whole situation has gone on for an awfully long time.' Morgan Hollis, 65, who has lived in the village for five years for a 'quiet retirement' agreed. The retired financial advisor said: 'It feels like the village has turned into a film set. Whether that is the constant tourists or the building work saga on the other end of the village. 'There's always something. It's not the little bit of peace and quiet that I was looking for in retirement. It's sad really.' Residents living on the street also expressed outrage this week about the ongoing development. David Jacobs, 46, who has lived in the village for eight years, said the work had been an 'absolute nightmare'. He said: 'I know a lot of people are very angry. It's been a long time and is not finishing anytime soon. 'I love the village. I feel like I am part of something really special. But it's becoming a victim of its own success in a way. 'We need firmer action from the local planning department. That's what I think will make a difference. 'A major gripe is there simply isn't the space here for the amount of tourists that visit. The Instagram generation are bringing the tourists here. 'I left the city to come out into the countryside. It feels like tourism has really exploded since Covid.' Pictured: Gulbin posing in front of the homes on what is considered Britain's prettiest street, years before the cottage's purchase Retired Craig Chapman moved into the village in October 2020 and has lived in the Cotswolds since 2004  Pictured: Gulbin posing in front of the homes with her small dog wearing a blue coat  Retired Craig Chapman moved into the village in October 2020 and has lived in the Cotswolds since 2004. The former chief executive of a renewable energy tech firm described the planning dispute as a 'never ending saga'. He said: 'We moved during Covid in 2020. We were really attracted to our property and the village. It's a lovely village. 'We thought it was nice and quiet. After Covid, things have taken off though. 'Zoopla will tell you our house prices are going up. But that isn't being reflected in the actual market. There's a lot of concern with people in the village about the volume of visitors we get. 'And then you add in this planning application. It's now for a retrospective application for some sort of BBQ area. 'Even the planning department at the council appear to suggest they have overdeveloped at the property.' 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. Applications were also submitted for an oak conservatory and stone summerhouse that were withdrawn in January. Locals have previously stated that the works, which have been carried out since 2023, have caused constant noise and disruption. Trucks that service the site churn up the verges and block their gates, they claimed. Many local residents said they were 'horrified' by the damage that has been done. In the latest application, the Turkish couple hit back at claims it had 'overdeveloped the site'. Many local residents said they were 'horrified' by the damage that has been done Metin Dener and his wife Gulbin are behind the controversial developments in the Cotswolds village of Bibury. The pair are pictured here together Their representatives said: 'All the previously approved and underway works have currently only resulted in a 1.2sqm increase to the footprint of the residential property and the replacement of an existing above ground garage with an underground garage. 'All other works have been repairs to existing retaining walls and landscape works related to the removal and repair of failing walls on site. It is certainly not the case that the site has been 'overdeveloped'.' They went on to say that over the past 2-3 years there had been building works undertaken on the site and 'considerable works to the mains drainage' causing road closures which had caused local inconvenience and disturbance. 'Due to the narrow access road and high level of tourists in the village the works on this site have had to progress at a slow pace as vehicle access has been relatively limited compared to most building sites and works on a steeply sloping site are complex. 'The contractors on this site have 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,' they said. Plans for the cottage earlier this year had included stripping and replacing traditional Cotswold stone slate roof tiles, as well as adding insulation to a utility room. A 'bizarre' palm tree was also added to the front garden – covered in Christmas decorations. In addition, previous plans included proposals for an underground garage at the site, which locals said had been built. Neighbours have complained of the works making their lives 'sheer hell' with constant noise, disruption and traffic issues. Even tourists, who flock to picturesque Bibury from India, Japan and China, believe the renovation is 'ruining' the picturesque street. The couple were previously said to be living outside of the UK while their house was transformed, with neighbours claiming they had not been seen in the area for some time. They bought the cottage for £1.1million in 2022 and works have been ongoing since 2023. Photos posted by Gulbin on social media show the pair enjoying time in the quaint village years prior to purchasing the cottage. Gulbin can be seen posing on several occasions in front of a viewpoint on what is widely considered the 'prettiest street in England'. One neighbour said: 'I have not seen him for months. It's a land grab. It's a massive shame because it could be a lovely home for someone. 'He seems quite wealthy but I don't know what he does for a living. He's never here long enough to really get to know him. 'It could be one of the nicer spots in the village really.' Mr Dener's representative was approached for comment. Cotswold District Council have been contacted for comment.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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