The owner of a Cotswolds fish farm has announced plans for a car and coach park he says could help solve the congestion issues affecting Bibury, often referred to as England's most beautiful village. The idyllic Cotswolds village has been overwhelmed by tourism, with thousands of global visitors flocking there daily.
Coaches transporting these masses may soon be prohibited from the village centre as part of several measures aimed at alleviating congestion, following complaints from local residents. Villagers have expressed frustration over lengthy delays on its narrow roads, damage to its historic bridge, and confrontations with exasperated coach drivers struggling to find parking.
While Gloucestershire County Council is considering changes to the roads and signage in Bibury, Mr Thomas has proposed his own plan that he believes will benefit both his business and the village at large. The proprietor of Bibury Trout Farm has submitted a planning application to Cotswold District Council for a new car park, catering to both coaches and cars, on the outskirts of the village.
He maintains that this facility could help alleviate the issues caused by peak time congestion, should it receive approval. Mr Thomas intends to establish the car park in a field off the B4425, at Arlington Pike, west of central Bibury, leasing the space from the land-owning farmer.
The proposed pay-as-you-use car park, with an estimated cost of £150,000 and capacity for 80 to 100 vehicles, would be situated a ten-minute walk or a short shuttle drive from the village centre. This new facility is intended to complement the trout farm's existing 150-space car park.
Mr Thomas said "Having the new car park would allow visitors more time to look around and spend more money in the village. It would take the congestion away and hopefully the visitors and our business would benefit."
However, not everyone in Bibury supports the planning application. Mark Honeyball, chair of the village working group tackling over-tourism, said: "The addition of a coach park will not serve to ease congestion. It will create more coach traffic and additional points of congestion.
"It will ultimately see the very essence of Bibury change from a small residential village to a commercial destination. The trout farm are putting this plan in place for their own commercial reasons and I would question the integrity of their long term plans for that land."
Last year, the trout farm raised eyebrows among some villagers with its proposal to construct a visitor and educational centre, sparking fears that the expanding business could evolve into a theme park. Despite these concerns, the 123 year old farm, which has received planning permission and is proceeding with the build, says the project will fit in with the locality.
Managing director Angus Hay commented: "We try to keep everything in keeping with the area. For instance, a sculpture trail will be going in this summer.
"There will definitely be no ferris wheels or dodgems etc."
Mr Thomas is optimistic the council will greenlight his plans in early May this year, with aspirations for the new car park to be operational by the end of the month.
The public has until April 16 to review and provide feedback on the proposals. Details of the scheme are accessible on the District Council's planning portal, under the application number 25/00719/FUL.
