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Search the Public Notice PortalMajor plans for hundreds of new homes at a TV filming location near the Cotswolds have angered the local villagers in Oxfordshire.
The quaint community of Bampton in Oxfordshire served as an outdoor location for the fictional ITV show Downton Abbey.
ITV's series began filming on its cobbled streets in 2010 - and it soon became a magnet for tourists from around the world.
It was used for several locations for the Downton Abbey television and film series, including the Old Rectory, the public library and the parish church of St Mary the Virgin.
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But locals say it is at risk of overdevelopment and several objections have now been lodged to an outline planning application for 190 new homes.
Hourigan Planning submitted the application on behalf of Anwyl Land Limited for a development on land west of Mount Owen Road in the village.
Developers Anwyl Homes plan to build 190 homes, 40 per cent of which would be affordable.
The planning application outlines that 40 per cent of homes would be affordable and 65 per cent of the homes would be either one or two bedrooms, with the remainder having three or four bedrooms.
Several objections have already been made on the West Oxfordshire District Council planning portal.
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Dr William Outhwaite wrote: "Bampton has already been massively damaged by excessive and insensitive building programmes which have overloaded its medical, educational and other infrastructure.
"This proposal would add the loss of agricultural land and of a still attractive site on the edge of the village."
As per government regulations, it would deliver a 10 per biodiversity net gain and it would also create a network of new paths through the site as well as two equipped play areas.
The village was last year named as one of the most beautiful chocolate box villages in England according to Independent Cottages.
The factors that decide this accolade include the number of historic buildings, the oldest recorded existence of the village, whether it's in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, online search volume and TikTok videos.
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But other objectors also fear the impact on water pipes that could cause terrible flooding similar to the floods seen in 2007.
Objections to the scheme were also raised during a previous consultation carried out.
One said: ''We moved here 28 years ago because we wanted to live in a village - it's a shame how places like Brampton become overdeveloped with no real infrastructure to cope with such an influx of houses.
''Wildlife suffers; many animals are already becoming extinct, no farms left to be able to sustain us as a country.
''Increased risk of flooding. Thames Water have already suggested they can't manage more sewerage in this area.
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''Very sad that countryside is being lost at such a colossal rate affecting wildlife and country life.''
Another added: "Do we really need more homes? My water pressure is already poor, and no need to mention doctors' appointments."
People in the village have previously spoken about what it's like living there.
The tourism boom has divided Bampton - some saying it generated a "small fortune" from “old biddies stuffed with cash'' buying merchandise - with the money used to improve local buildings and services.
But other residents say they want their ''front drives free from brash American accents''.
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Busloads of often American fans, fascinated by the historical drama’s depiction of early 20th-century Britain, come armed with cameras and selfie sticks to Bampton.
Speaking previously, Fabrizio Manerba, 62, a village local, said: “My friend overheard a tour guide say that Bampton was nothing before Downton Abbey.
''Let me tell you - Bampton was a beautiful, expensive place to live long beforehand.''
Mr Manerba described busloads of tourists arriving whatever the weather.
He said: “I live on the main square and they often stand in my driveway. They just go everywhere!''
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Di O’Brien, 73, once described tourists coming “at all times” with around 10 buses arriving a day at the town’s peak popularity, with visitors lingering and posing for photographs.
A spokesperson for Hourigan said: “The scheme would comprise a mix of both open market homes and affordable homes, and includes significant areas of accessible open space.”
Bampton was used by ITV for several locations for the Downton Abbey television and film series, including the Old Rectory, the public library and the parish church of St Mary the Virgin.
Since then, it has become a tourist destination, in particular for American fans.
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