Cotswold Home Value Plummets £600K Due to Council Scaffolding Dispute

A 79-year-old homeowner in the Cotswolds village of South Woodchester is locked in a dispute with Stroud District Council over scaffolding that has remained erected around his property for nearly seven years, reportedly slashing the value of his home by an estimated £600,000. The situation, stemming from a problematic retaining wall threatening a council-owned car park, highlights the financial and emotional toll of protracted local authority infrastructure issues on individual property owners.

The Scaffolding’s Shadow: A Property’s Value Diminished

Andrew Ewart-James, who has lived in his cottage for 49 years, first alerted the council to issues with the retaining wall in 1986. However, emergency scaffolding wasn’t installed until 2019, after the wall moved four inches. Since then, the scaffolding has grow a permanent fixture, effectively making the property unsellable, according to Ewart-James. He estimates the property’s value has fallen from a potential £1 million to £1.25 million to around half that amount. “That’s £600,000 gone. All since of their incompetence,” he told the Daily Mail.

The dispute centers on the require to stabilize the retaining wall to prevent the adjacent council car park from subsiding onto Ewart-James’s land. The council’s response, while intended to address the structural issue, has created a different kind of problem for the homeowner. He describes feeling “trapped” and “a prisoner in his own home,” unable to downsize or allow his children to receive their inheritance due to the property’s diminished value and unsellable status.

Taxpayer Costs Mount: A Six-Figure Bill

The temporary solution – the scaffolding – isn’t cheap. According to a Freedom of Information request, the scaffolding has cost taxpayers £368 per week since 2019, exceeding £100,000 by the conclude of 2024. This ongoing expense has drawn criticism from Ewart-James, who questions the council’s efficiency and prioritization of resources. He argues that the council has been slow to implement a long-term solution, leaving him in limbo and racking up a substantial bill for local residents. The Oxford Mail reported on the escalating costs in January 2026.

Legal Action and Council Response

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Ewart-James has initiated High Court proceedings against Stroud District Council. He is seeking a resolution to the issue and compensation for the financial losses he has incurred. The council, however, attributes delays to difficulties in agreeing on design details with Ewart-James’s structural engineer.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Stroud District Council said the authority is “committed to progressing this project as quickly as possible.” They explained that independent Party Wall surveyors were appointed by both the council and Ewart-James to resolve disagreements, and proposals were agreed upon by March 2025. The council is now working to finalize a license to allow work to initiate and appoint contractors.

Beyond South Woodchester: A Wider Issue of Property and Infrastructure

This case isn’t isolated. It underscores a broader challenge faced by homeowners when private property intersects with public infrastructure. The responsibility for maintaining infrastructure often falls to local authorities, but the financial and emotional burden of disruptions can disproportionately affect individual property owners. The situation likewise raises questions about the efficiency of local government processes and the potential for protracted disputes to escalate costs for both homeowners and taxpayers.

The Cotswolds, known for its picturesque villages and valuable properties, is particularly vulnerable to these types of disputes. The area’s unique topography and historic buildings often present complex engineering challenges, and maintaining infrastructure in a sensitive environment can be costly and time-consuming. The Cotswold Journal has been following the story closely, highlighting the impact on the local community.

What’s Next: Awaiting a Resolution

The immediate next step is the finalization of the license agreement between Stroud District Council and Andrew Ewart-James. Once the license is approved, the council will proceed with appointing contractors and scheduling the necessary repairs to the retaining wall. The timeline for completion of the work remains uncertain, but Ewart-James is hoping for a swift resolution to allow him to sell his property and move on with his life. The outcome of the legal proceedings could also influence the speed and scope of the repairs, as well as any potential compensation awarded to Ewart-James. The case serves as a cautionary tale for homeowners and local authorities alike, emphasizing the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and effective communication to avoid costly and disruptive disputes.