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Rothschild's pub bid sparks village row
Rothschild heir's pub-to-hotel plan faces local backlash over traffic and scale.
In brief
Rothschild heir's pub-to-hotel plan faces local backlash over traffic and scale. Lady Loretta Rothschild's bid to turn a 16th-century Wiltshire pub into a boutique hotel and yoga barn has sparked local opposition over traffic and scale. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Rothschild heir's pub bid sparks row
Lady Loretta Rothschild, 36, married to Rothschild banking heir Lord Nathaniel Rothschild, submitted plans to turn a 16th-century Wiltshire pub into a boutique hotel and yoga barn.
Plans for Seven Stars Inn expansion
The proposed development includes ten bedrooms, a 70-seat restaurant, and a yoga studio for the 16th-century Seven Stars Inn in Bottlesford, Wiltshire.
Pub sold for £800,000
Lady Rothschild purchased the Seven Stars Inn in October 2025 for £800,000 after it closed in August 2025 due to financial struggles.
Residents oppose scale of development
Residents argue the project's scale would cause traffic congestion and disrupt the rural hamlet's character on a single-lane road.
Patrick Wilson's concerns
Patrick Wilson said the project would triple floorspace, increase guest rooms by sixfold, and quadruple parking spaces, which he called 'too intensive' for a small rural site.
Alison Tilling's concerns
Alison Tilling warned that construction traffic would be 'hugely significant and negative' for residents and that post-completion traffic would increase congestion.
Sue Parsons' support
Sue Parsons supported the 'principle' of a viable village pub but said Lady Rothschild's proposal was for a 'tourist site' rather than a local pub.
Deborah Lam's support
Deborah Lam, who lived in Bottlesford for over 30 years, said the pub was 'the glue that holds the local community together' and had been 'sorely missed' since closing.
Marion Lightbown's support
Marion Lightbown, who lived on Gores Road for 35 years, supported the application but wanted more consideration for nearby residents.
Graham Thomson's perspective
Graham Thomson, the former licensee, said the pub had been 'on its knees' when he sold it to Lady Rothschild but was happy it would survive.
Rothschild family's stance
A Rothschild spokesman said the family has 'a deep affinity with the local area and farm 3,500 acres' near the site and the pub is 'a critical part of the local community'.
Lady Rothschild's background
Lady Rothschild previously appeared on The Sun's Page 3 as a topless model and married Lord Rothschild in 2016 after dating actor Steve Coogan.
Lord Rothschild's background
Lord Rothschild, 55, has been teetotal for almost 30 years and is part of the Rothschild banking dynasty with connections to former chancellor George Osborne.
Planning consultation deadline
The application's consultation deadline was last week, though a decision on the plans is still pending.
The short version
Lady Loretta Rothschild's bid to turn a 16th-century Wiltshire pub into a boutique hotel and yoga barn has sparked local opposition over traffic and scale.
