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.Laurence said 80 per cent of his customers are from outside the UK, and visit largely because of The Holiday – which also starred Jude Law, Jack Black and Kate Winslet.

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.He, his wife, and his mother-in-law decided to apply for an area again, and three years on, the council granted the request.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.One business owner called the flowerbeds the “desecration of a national treasure”.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.”He revealed: “That cottage doesn’t exist. Oh yeah.Kerry was horrified and said: “No, please stop!””Otherwise drivers might just ram into them.The Sun 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.He continued: “They are so disappointed now. It’s a desecration of a national treasure.

When they first arrived, many locals believed they were packing containers for raw material for the ongoing village makeover.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.Dean said: “The vision was about creating a space where people can relax in the village.”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.”Referring to when the boxes appeared, she said: “Everyone was quite horrified.

Moviegoers’ Mecca

But locals in Shere, Surrey, fear the movie’s magic has been lost after the council installed grotesque flowerbeds – big enough to foil “tanks” – in the square.“So the director, she’s a bit of a perfectionist, toured that whole area and didn’t quite find the chocolate box cottage she was looking for. Residents are even threatening to set them ablaze at the nearby recreational ground on Bonfire Night if they aren’t removed.She said villagers are in favour of the pedestrian scheme but are objecting to the flower boxes themselves.

Guest star comedian Kerry Godliman asked: “Can you Airbnb that cottage?” hailing it as her “dream home.”“And every time I go in that door, we cut and we shot the interiors in LA about three months later.”He said: “I find it just honestly glorious.”By Becky Pemberton“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 get the arguments – they’ve been placed a bit haphazardly.”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.

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.“So she just hired a field and drew it and had someone build 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”.”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.”Sam added: “They’re not exactly matching but they’re better than bollards. And I’m sure the Tea Shop is happy.””Nothing much changed here for 40 years and then they make this awful mess.””It seems like there’s been no thought to any design or style.””It’s a place where parents can bring their kids without worrying about cars and roads – and where members of the community can come together.

Moyà Connell, 69, owner of Split Figs interior lifestyle store, told The Sun: “They are out of keeping with the village. They look like big packing cases. Laurence Carr

“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.Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt, 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 social media.“But here’s the funny thing, if you watch it. So, we were shooting in the winter here. “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.

MP support

“It was all always about the community. And already – people are using it.

His friend Katherine Davies-Samway, 79, who was visiting from the US, agreed.He is said it’s claimed her house value has reduced from £1million to £850,000.Paul Colonna, 67, echoed Izzi’s thoughts. He said: “The planters have to be big as they have to protect people from cars.”But they’re not finished. And I think they’re considering making the planters smaller.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.Sadly Jude was quick to ruin her Holiday fantasies. “They are waist height on me, they are bigger than the benches and dwarf the cafe.”

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.”And unfortunately, we’re getting the brunt of it.”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.”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.Moyà fears it will hamper the scheme as people will object to the trial overall because they hate the flower boxes.”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.Zoe was equally distraught and added: “We don’t want to hear anymore. We can’t bear it.”Even though the film is often watched year on year in many households, it hasn’t lost the shine for Jude.”I think people are just reacting too quickly as they’re not done yet. Wait until they’re all planted up.”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.He explained that during Covid, the family-run business was allowed a pedestrianised area – but it came to an end once lockdown was over.”Loads of people have been using these benches since they were put in.

Jude Law reveals truth about the iconic cottage

Jude smiled as he said: “Just burst the bubble, sorry.”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.A Surrey county councillor told the BBC the planters were “an experiment” and something “more appropriate” would eventually replace them.”He did an interview with one of the representatives, county councillor Bob Hughes is also fighting the cause. If you have ever had a dream of renting the fairytale cottage owned by Iris (played by Kate Winslet), in The Holiday, be prepared to have your hopes dashed, by Jude himself.”I imagine the money could have been used better elsewhere.”She said: “They definitely need to be a different colour. They don’t suit the surroundings at the moment.”However, he’s been receiving the brunt of the backlash – which has forced him to take the business off social media.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.”For planters to look good, they need to be lower. Then, they’ll look better once they have flowers or trees in them.””There’s been a lot of abuse. We’ve taken our business off social media.IT’S the chocolate box village where visitors flock from far and wide to spot filming locations for festive favourite The Holiday.”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.”At the end of the day, though, this will be good for the community.”The British actor, 51, appeared on BBC Radio Two to chat about the popular festive flick with host Zoe Ball.Kerry agreed: “That’s very upsetting.”

Local row

“As for the size, they need to be big so it’s obvious it’s a sectioned off area.”Surrey County Council was approached for further comment.”It gets really busy around here at the weekend so the more space the better.Laurence Carr, 75, who runs Vaughans B&B on the square, told The Sun: “I’ve lived here for 40 years, we moved to the square 12 years ago, directly opposite these ginormous planters.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.Since the release of the Cameron Diaz movie in 2006, sightseers have flocked to the area, pumping much-needed money into local hotels and shops.

Moyà said the additions are “not in keeping” with the sort of street furniture you’d expect in a conservation village.”So this is a great way to add to that community spirit.”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.”Former local architect Martin Johnson, 78, also felt the planters’ aesthetic needed some improving.”Most people would like to see them changed, something has got to be done to make them look better.””We hope democracy wins in the end.”Local mum Izzi Lee-Pearse, 34, agreed. She said: “People have been negative but this is a great idea.