IT'S the chocolate box village where visitors flock from far and wide to spot filming locations for festive favourite The Holiday.
But locals in Shere, Surrey, fear after the council installed grotesque flowerbeds – big enough to foil “tanks” – in the square.
Residents are even threatening to set them ablaze at the nearby recreational ground on if they aren't removed.
The pine planters were installed around six weeks ago to cordon off the road as part of a trial to pedestrianise the north side of the square.
Flying Eze has been told one villager, who overlooks the new additions, is understood to be considering legal action against the local authority for allegedly sinking the value of her house by £150,000.
One owner called the flowerbeds the “desecration of a national treasure”.
When they first arrived, many locals believed they were packing containers for raw material for the ongoing village makeover.
Moyà Connell, 69, owner of Split Figs interior lifestyle store, told Flying Eze: “They are out of keeping with the village. They look like big packing cases.
“It seems like there's been no thought to any design or style.”
Referring to when the boxes appeared, she said: “Everyone was quite horrified.
“Most people would like to see them changed, something has got to be done to make them look better.”
Moyà said the additions are “not in keeping” with the sort of street furniture you'd expect in a conservation village.
“It definitely alters the look of the village. If someone had put that outside their house, they would have been told to move it,” she added.
“They are waist height on me, they are bigger than the benches and dwarf the cafe.”
She said villagers are in favour of the pedestrian scheme but are objecting to the flower boxes themselves.
She said: “It's such a popular village, but all the visitors who come into the shop say ‘what is going on outside?' They look awful.”
Moyà fears it will hamper the scheme as people will object to the trial overall because they hate the flower boxes.
Moviegoers' Mecca
Since the release of the movie in 2006, sightseers have flocked to the area, pumping much-needed into local and shops.
Andrew Bullman, 46, said: “I also don't really understand the need for them. I mean, this isn't exactly an area with major traffic congestion. It's already a pretty pedestrianised area.
“I imagine the money could have been used better elsewhere.”
Former local architect Martin Johnson, 78, also felt the planters' aesthetic needed some improving.
He said: “They're pretty ugly at the moment but I assume they're half-finished. They're not a great colour – it would be better if they matched the trees or fencing – and they're too high.
“For planters to look good, they need to be lower. Then, they'll look better once they have flowers or trees in them.”
His friend Katherine Davies-Samway, 79, who was visiting from the US, agreed.
She said: “They definitely need to be a different colour. They don't suit the surroundings at the moment.”
Anna Velody and Sam Mulligan, both 24, often enjoy a day out in Shere – and couldn't help laughing when they spotted the recent additions.
Anna said: “They could have been a better colour – they're not very subtle at the moment. But I'd be surprised if people were really bothered by them.”
Sam added: “They're not exactly matching but they're better than bollards. And I'm sure the Tea Shop is happy.”
Laurence Carr, 75, who runs Vaughans B&B on the square, told Flying Eze: “I've lived here for 40 years, we moved to the square 12 years ago, directly opposite these ginormous planters.
“We thought the idea was to close off the north side of the square with cobbles and horse boxes with flowers – like the French would do it.”
He said around six weeks ago council workers arrived to dig up holes and “set up benches which they bolted on, then set up scaffolding poles which are meant to be bike racks”.
“They are hideous, they are enormous, they look more like tank traps. We run a B&B and our guests have commented how disgusting they are.”
Laurence said 80 per cent of his customers are from outside the UK, and visit largely because of – which also starred , and .
He continued: “They are so disappointed now. It's a desecration of a national treasure.
“Nothing much changed here for 40 years and then they make this awful mess.”
He said it's too soon to say if it will have a knock on effect on his business but fears it will once word gets out.
We're starting a petition and if they don't do anything they are going to be burnt on the recreation ground on Bonfire Night.
Laurence Carr
Laurence went on to say a homeowner whose house looks out over the flower boxes is rumoured to be trying to sue the council for the value of her house.
He is said it's claimed her house value has reduced from £1million to £850,000.
“I think someone at Essex County Council has been on work experience when they planned it,” he added.
Laurence claims residents have spoken to the council, but have been told it can't afford to remove the eyesore planters.
MP support
Former chancellor , the local MP for Godalming and Ash who grew up in the village and attended school there, has already visited the site and posted about the dispute on .
Laurence added: “Everyone in the village is up in arms. Jeremy (Hunt) was brought up in this village and went to the local school, so he's got a personal interest.
“He did an interview with one of the representatives, county councillor Bob Hughes is also fighting the cause.
“We're starting a petition and if they don't do anything they are going to be burnt on the recreation ground on Bonfire Night.
“It's almost like a Communist state, they put these things down for a local community, the community hate it, and then they say you have to put up with it.
“We hope democracy wins in the end.”
On its website, Surrey County Council said the planters were recently introduced as part of a scheme to “create a pedestrianised area and introduce a seating area for residents to use” in Shere's The Square.
And Dean Hart, 44, manager at Hilly's Tea Shop, said he was excited by the new pedestrian area – and was confident it would be good for the community.
He explained that during Covid, the family-run business was allowed a pedestrianised area – but it came to an end once lockdown was over.
He, his wife, and his mother-in-law decided to apply for an area again, and three years on, the council granted the request.
However, he's been receiving the brunt of the backlash – which has forced him to take the business off social media.
Dean said: “The vision was about creating a space where people can relax in the village.
“It's a place where parents can bring their kids without worrying about and roads – and where members of the community can come together.
“It was all always about the community. And already – people are using it.
“Loads of people have been using these benches since they were put in.
“But of course there are a lot of people who are unhappy. It's an old school village and people often don't like change.
“And unfortunately, we're getting the brunt of it.
“There's been a lot of abuse. We've taken our business off social media.
“And I get the arguments – they've been placed a bit haphazardly.
“But they're not finished. And I think they're considering making the planters smaller.
“At the end of the day, though, this will be good for the community.”
Local row
Local mum Izzi Lee-Pearse, 34, agreed. She said: “People have been negative but this is a great idea.
“I grew up in Spain so I know how important the use of outdoor space is for communities – and this is a great example of that.
“I visit Hilly's Tea Shop a lot so it's a nice space to sit – and there are also benches and bike racks for people.
“It gets really busy around here at the weekend so the more space the better.
“I think people are just reacting too quickly as they're not done yet. Wait until they're all planted up.
“As for the size, they need to be big so it's obvious it's a sectioned off area.”
Paul Colonna, 67, echoed Izzi's thoughts. He said: “The planters have to be big as they have to protect people from cars.
“Otherwise drivers might just ram into them.
“A lot of other locals might not like them but I do. I think it's good to have an area – especially for children.
“And I also think we should all be supporting Hilly's Tea Shop. It's a wonderful family-run business that is welcoming to everyone.
“So this is a great way to add to that community spirit.”
A Surrey county councillor told the BBC the planters were “an experiment” and something “more appropriate” would eventually replace them.
Surrey County Council was approached for further comment.
