Oxford News
Noise fears from customers if Cotswold restaurant built
Plans for the new building in the rear garden of the Dial House Hotel and Restaurant in Bourton-on-the-Water have sparked strong objections from villagers.
Dial House (Bourton) Limited wants permission from Cotswold District Council for the new single-storey building in the rear garden of the High Street property which would be used as a restaurant.
But nearby residents and Bourton’s parish council have objected amid concerns over the noise disturbance an increase in customers could lead to.
Wayne Harris, one of the objectors, said: ”I have no doubt that the applicant will be making the case for development as a catalyst for increased business within the village.
“Bourton-on-the-Water is however suffering from considerable ‘overtourism’ making the very character of the village that visitors come to see increasingly diminished.
“There are more than enough eateries and drinking establishments in the village without the addition of this pavilion; especially with it being so close to residential properties.”
He also went on to request the removal of the “wigwams” and temporary WC as soon as possible.
Another resident, Lorraine Banks, asked that planners visit the area in the evening to see just how quiet it actually is.
“Why also is yet another restaurant needed in a village that is saturated with eating places that struggle to attract staff?
“If this permission is granted, it would make me wonder what actually is the point of a conservation area if it can be so easily disregarded by owners who not only do not live in the village but do not even appear to live in the UK.
“The garden needs to be restored to what it is supposed to be, a garden that the residents of the hotel can enjoy and not destroy the peace and quiet of the surrounding properties.”
Andrew Jackson, another villager, said experience with previous proposals indicates that noise has been a considerable issue.
“We are apprehensive that the current plans may exacerbate this problem,” he said.
He went on to say that residents “find it unacceptable that the noise survey was conducted during the winter months”.
“The volume of music emanating from the premises is such that even our newly installed double glazing, intended to mitigate noise, has proven ineffective.”
And he added that “during warmer periods, the intrusive noise from the beer garden and, more recently, a monthly gathering of supercars on Sunday mornings, prevents us from enjoying our own garden in peace.
“We question whether a new building should be permitted merely metres from a listed building.”
While another nearby resident said they are “horrified” that there will be a service area “complete with bins, gravel, staff talking and apparently multiple compressors, how can this be allowed so near to my bedroom window”.
“When Maxi’s [Tipi Lounge at Dial House] was open I could hear the noise from there until late of an evening even with my window closed,” they said.
“The owners quite obviously do not care about the residents in the surrounding properties otherwise they would keep this garden as it was meant to be, a quiet area for hotel guests without destroying the surrounding properties amenities.
“It has been lovely not hearing guests swearing and singing drunkenly while Maxi’s has been closed, this is a quiet area of the village.”
And Fiona Formby, another resident also raised concerns over noise.
“We have all had to live with a huge amount of noise and disruption for many years now, while the Dial House evolves its offer,” she said.
“There is day noise, cars driving on gravel, people talking and shouting loudly as they do in this kind of environment and it continues into the evenings, only louder fuelled by alcohol.”
She said they hope the plans are rejected and “force them to remove the absolute eyesores still in place in what was a beautiful garden”.
Consultants working on behalf of the Dial House say the proposals seek to replace the previously approved temporary structure, and consolidate the existing temporary site facilities into a single high-quality pavilion.
They say the scale is appropriate for the site, and function of the building which will have a floor area of 162 square metres and a main dining space suitable for 40 covers.
It will contain a serving kitchen including a pizza oven, space for building services, and WC facilities.
The main kitchen in the Dial House will be the principal kitchen for both the hotel and pavilion so they won’t need commercial kitchen extract ventilation systems in the pavilion.
“The pavilion will be constructed from a limited pallet of high-quality materials,” the plans read.
“The walls to the front wing will be formed with Cotswold rubblestone back mortared, with an Ashlar stone plinth, and widow surrounds.”
The Dial House has been approached for further comment.
Planners are yet to decide the outcome of the proposals.
Boutique hotel group Crazy Bear kicked off the summer social season in style, hosting a private party until the early hours to mark a new era.
Former The Xtra Factor presenter, comedian Matt Richardson, was one of the performers on the night.
Hundreds of guests packed the venue and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, and a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak.
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The party earlier this month marked the launch of a new Crazy Bear menu and cocktail range coming soon, plus refurbishment of some of the heritage venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces.
Throughout the night, party goers enjoyed dishes from the refreshed menu, which couple traditional pub food with sumptuous Thai flavours.
The Cuban Brothers unleashed a mix of funk-fuelled epic dance moves, while Matt Richardson took a break from his national tour with a bespoke version of his celebrated stand-up routine.
Sol Collective, one of London’s leading Latin ensembles, joined the line-up with two fresh, inspiring live acoustic sets on the garden terrace.
The innovative menu brought together classic pub mains, sizzling meats from the grill and authentic Thai wok dishes. Open fire cage cooking, a new weekend feature, included garlic butter king prawns, thyme chicken thighs, and garden larder salads.
Drinks flowed from the new menu, as the foraged cocktail range featuring hedgerow negroni and roasted dandelion espresso martini, was in popular demand.
A feast featuring handmade afternoon tea favourites piled high kept the party going in the new residents’ lounge, which hosted a bespoke feasting table, vinyl record player and cocktail trolley.
Lauren Thompson, who has a weekly set on House FM and has played legendary club nights for Groove Odyssey and Fabric, took to the decks, followed by resident DJ Tony Nanton, who kept the tempo with a house music set in the Glasshouse.
Guests also enjoyed an outdoor cinema screening of Pulp Fiction, while a set of prizes were won through hook-a-duck on the lawn.
“The party provided the perfect moment to unveil our refreshed experience which captures the Crazy Bear’s spirit with a contemporary twist,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at the Crazy Bear.
“Every guest was treated to the exceptional hospitality set to become synonymous with the Crazy Bear.
“Party goers were led through a rabbit warren of intrigue spanning musical genres, leafy tropical hideaways and wild entertainment while being among the first to sample our exceptional new food and drink offering.
“Our menus and direction have changed, but the essence of the Crazy Bear remains unchanged. So, stand by for elevated dining, unforgettable parties and maverick entertainment as the next chapter unfolds.”
Founded in 1993, the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton is complete with 18 rooms, a cosy 16th century pub, an eclectic choice of indoor and outdoor spaces to eat and drink, plus secret garden and woodland.
It hosts weddings like no other and its public areas are dog friendly. Its sister site in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has 35 individually designed bedrooms, restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool.
On the Content Ltd was a private limited company that was officially dissolved via a strike-off on April 14, 2026.
The business was originally incorporated on November 24, 2022, and operated with directors Anna Louise Cole and Roma Cots Cole.
The Chipping Norton-based company was involved in travel agency activities, according to Companies House.
The most recent accounts it filed shows the business had just £40 in its bank, down from around £14,000 the year before.
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At the financial year ending March 2025, the accounts also show On the Content Ltd had trade debts of £12,396 and owed £215 in tax.
On the Content is not the only Oxfordshire travel company to close in recent weeks.
The Padel Travel Club Limited, which operated from a Henley address, organised padel‑themed breaks and training camps in the UK and overseas.
The business was incorporated in February 2023 and has since been removed from the Companies House register following a voluntary strike‑off, with the final notice of dissolution published in late May 2026.
And Set Sail Cruises Ltd, registered to an address in Bicester, was formally dissolved on March 17, 2026, after a strike-off process, meaning it no longer exists as a legal company.
The travel agency was incorporated on February 4, 2024 and listed its main activity as “travel agency activities”.
Zion Zion, of Bierton Road, Aylesbury, was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court over a video link from hospital on Monday, June 15.
The 65-year-old is charged with two counts of sexual assault which relate to an incident in Oxford on January 7, 2023.
Zion has refused to co-operate with the proceedings so far and did not appear over the video link.
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Due to his refusal to co-operate, Zion is unrepresented.
During a previous court hearing, not guilty pleas were entered on the defendant’s behalf.
A trial date was previously given for November 22, 2027.
On June 15, the court heard an expert’s report had concluded Zion was not fit to plead.
The case will next be heard on August 17 to decide if the case will continue.
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