BIBURY Primary School pupils enjoyed a day to remember as they welcomed HRH The Princess Royal and vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence to the village yesterday (February 29).

Princess Anne was visiting to officially open the Arlington Fields development and she was shown around by Lynne Barber, the chief executive of Cirencester Housing before unveiling a plaque and being presented with a bird box, made by pupils and residents Chloe Daniels and Ellie Beresford.

Building work on the 11 homes was completed a year ago and was a partnership between Cirencester Housing, Severn Vale Housing Society, Bibury Parish Council, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and Cotswold District Council.

Addressing the assembled crowd in a short speech following the unveiling, the Princess Royal said: “It is a pleasure to see projects like this come to fruition.”

Recognising the impact of rising property values in the village, Bibury Parish Council acted to ensure affordable homes were available in this venture.

The design and materials were studied closely to ensure that they fitted in with the communities they would be joining and the homes also benefit from air-source heat pumps, which keep running costs to a minimum.

Scilla Phillips, chairman of Bibury Parish Council, speaking before the unveiling, said: “The parish council is delighted that HRH The Princess Royal will have the opportunity to visit Arlington Fields and see what has been achieved by our local community.

“Recognising the need for affordable homes the BPC has worked hard to support the project for over nine years and the 11 homes will go some way towards meeting local demand.

“For many years house prices in the village have been increasing beyond the reach of local households, particularly younger ones, who have moved from the village in search of an affordable home elsewhere.”

Sandy Price, chairman of Cirencester Housing, said: “The lack of affordable rural housing is a national problem, but acutely impacts the Cotswolds area.”