Cotswold villagers furious after 'huge' hole dug by developer

Locals have accused the estate owner and developer of flouting planning permission

Update 10th July 2024: Cotswold District Council subsequently confirmed that following a review of the further changes identified on site, it was judged that the resulting development was still compliant with the legislation and so no further action was taken.

Residents of a Cotswold village are "furious" at an enormous hole dug by the owner of a historic estate.

In March 2022, Guy Saner, who owns Avening Court, gave Cotswold District Council prior notification of his intent to replace a barn.

But villagers are concerned he may have since breached planning permissions by digging foundations they say are twice the size of the old building.

Avening Court's estate manager declined to comment.

The local council said it has launched an investigation into whether enforcement action is needed at Avening Court, which borders Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park.

Local resident Charles Sabine said he has seen trucks removing large amounts of soil

Local resident, Charles Sabine, said people living in the village are "furious".

"It is an absolute travesty that he's gone ahead and done it without any remote concern for the views or the opinions of anyone," he said.

On 30 March 2022, Cotswold District Council granted the rural developer RJD Consultancy - on behalf of Mr Saner - prior approval for the construction of an agricultural storage building at Avening Court.

The planning permission was to replace an existing milking barn.

The planning permission was to replace a milking barn on Avening Court

The 1,100 year old Avening Court estate is situated in the historic Avening Valley, where Princess Anne and her family live.

Mr Sabine, who has lived in May's Lane in Avening for 18 years, said the hills have remained untouched for the 6,000 years that humans have inhabited it.

Since the work started in June, Mr Sabine claims he has witnessed hundreds of trucks driving up and down the estate removing soil and delivering concrete.

Local residents have complained about the noise caused by the trucks

Chair of the Avening Parish Council, Patrick Mulligan, said feelings are running high in the village and residents want the district council to take action.

"They need to be firm and take some decisive action," said Mr Mulligan.

A council spokesperson said it is looking into the matter and "will take action as appropriate in line with our adopted enforcement plan".

Patrick Mulligan said he wants the council to "take some decisive action"