What would Carson the butler say? Residents of Downton Abbey village in the Cotswolds are furious over plan for 200 new homes

Published: 12:22, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 12:24, 14 August 2026 Residents living in a Cotswolds village used to film Downton Abbey have been left furious over plans submitted for nearly 200 new homes in the area. From 2011, the quaint village of Bampton in Oxfordshire served as an outdoor filming location for the fictional ITV show - soon becoming a magnet for spectators from around the world.  Several of its locations were used for the Downton Abbey television and film series, including the Old Rectory, the public library and the parish church of St Mary the Virgin.  However, following the submission of a planning application for 190 new homes in the area, locals have raised several objections to the scheme on the West Oxfordshire District Council planning portal, including concerns about potential overdevelopment. The plans, submitted by Hourigan Planning on behalf of Angyl Land Limited, propose a housing development on land west of Mount Owen Road in the village.  Developers Anwyl Homes plan to build 190 homes, 40 per cent of which the planning application outlines will be affordable and 65 per cent would either be one of two bedrooms, with the remainder having three or four bedrooms.  Writing on the council's portal, resident Dr Willliam Outhwaite said: 'Bampton has already been massively damaged by excessive and insensitive building programmes which have overloaded its medical, educational and other infrastructure. 'This proposal would add the loss of agricultural land and of a still attractive site on the edge of the village.' Plans for nearly 200 new homes in the village Bampton in Oxfordshire have been met with objections from locals Concerns about overdevelopment have been raised by residents to West Oxfordshire District Council  The filming of Downton Abbey has also divided opinion among Bampton locals in the past, with the increased tourism either a hit or a miss Last year, Bampton was named as one of the most beautiful chocolate box villages in England, according to Independent Cottages.  The factors taken into consideration for this accolade include the number of historic buildings, the oldest recorded existence of the village, whether it's in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, online search volume and TikTok videos. As per government regulations, developments in the village would deliver a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain and also create a network of new paths through the site, as well as two equipped play areas.  However, other objectors to the development fear the impact on the town's water pipes could cause terrible flooding similar to the floods seen in 2007. Further objections to the scheme were also raised during a previous consultation carried out. One resident said: 'We moved here 28 years ago because we wanted to live in a village - it's a shame how places like Bampton become over developed with no real infrastructure to cope with such influx of houses. 'Wildlife suffers, many animals already becoming extinct, no farms left to be able to sustain us as a country. 'Increased risk of flooding Thames Water have already suggested they can't manage more sewerage in this area. Several of Bampton's locations were used for Downton Abbey, including the Old Rectory, the public library and the parish church of St Mary the Virgin Last year, Bampton was named as one of the most beautiful chocolate box villages in England 'Very sad that countryside is being lost at such a colossal rate affecting wildlife and country life.' Another added: 'Do we really need more homes? My water pressure already poor and no need to mention doctors appointments.' The filming of Downton Abbey has also divided opinion among locals in the past, with the increased tourism either a hit or a miss.  Some have said the series generated a 'small fortune' from 'old biddies stuffed with cash' buying merchandise - with the money used to improve local buildings and services. Yet other residents say they want their 'front drives free from brash American accents'. American fans, fascinated by the historical depiction of early 20th century Britain, often come armed with cameras to Bampton.  Village local Fabrizio Manerba, 62, previously said: 'My friend overheard a tour guide say that Bampton was nothing before Downton Abbey. 'Let me tell you - Bampton was a beautiful, expensive place to live long beforehand.' Bampton has become a tourist hotspot for watchers of Downton Abbey Mr Manerba described busloads of tourists arriving whatever the weather. He said: 'I live on the main square and they often stand in my driveway. They just go everywhere!' Di O'Brien, 73, once described tourists coming 'at all times' with around 10 buses arriving a day at the town's peak popularity, with visitors lingering and posing for photographs. A spokesperson for Hourigan said: 'The scheme would comprise a mix of both open market homes and affordable homes, and includes significant areas of accessible open space.'