Quaint Cotswold Village Battles Strict Renovation Rules

As of October 13th, 2025, the historic village of Snowshill in Gloucestershire has found itself at the center of a bitter dispute over planning regulations. Snowshill, which gained fame for its appearance in the 2001 film "Bridget Jones's Diary", is now facing an Article 4 Direction imposed by the Tewkesbury Borough Council to preserve the village's "exceptional historic character".

Under the new rules, residents must seek permission for even minor alterations to their homes, such as changing the color of their front door, erecting a gate, or laying a patio. While some locals support the measures, believing they will prevent the slow erosion of the village's honey-stone cottages and old leaded windows, others argue the regulations have gone too far.

One newer resident, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed the rules feel like "climbing Everest" when trying to fix up their crumbling cottage, which they had poured their "heart, soul and savings" into. However, long-time resident Sheila Wilkes expressed her opposition to the changes, stating, "I've lived here forever and I hate change - the houses are beautiful as they are. They don't need tarting up."

The debate highlights the delicate balance between preserving a village's historic charm and allowing residents the freedom to maintain and improve their homes. As Snowshill continues to grapple with this issue, the outcome is likely to have lasting implications for the character of this picturesque Cotswold community.