David and Victoria Beckham are at war with their neighbours AGAIN over plans for a new access road at their £12m Cotswolds pad so they don’t have to share with Soho Farmhouse revellers

David and Victoria Beckham upset their wealthy neighbors with plans to build a new access road to their £12 million Cotswolds home; so they no longer have to share with the crowds that flock to the nearby popular Soho Farmhouse.

The couple applied for planning permission to convert an agricultural track into a paved access road to their home at Maplewood Barn; This will allow them to avoid the impressive wannabe revelers who swarm by the hundreds to enjoy the famous members’ club.

However, the move – the latest in unpopular planning practices on their home – was not well received. At least one of his neighbors claimed the bidding should be stopped because it would affect stragglers who should not be ‘disturbed by the lumbering up and down of giant SUVs’.

Currently, Beckham’s estate near Great Tew has single-lane cul-de-sac access, which also serves as the only way for visitors to drive to Soho Farmhouse; nearby retreat It is billed as a ‘countryside escape’ for members who pay £250 a month to enjoy the pools, health cubs and a range of rural activities on offer, including clay pigeon shooting.

Particularly in the summer months, minor celebrities and members of the media arrive in droves to relax and network, and their flashy cars all filter down the same and currently single road that serves the Beckhams’ own private retreats.

Now it looks like they’ve finally had enough.

The couple have applied to West Oxfordshire District Council to change the use of part of an existing agricultural road to create access to a second residence.

They want to widen the path to connect with existing driveways and improve pavement access and gates on Ledwell Lane.

The couple have applied for planning permission to convert a new agricultural road into a paved access for their Maplewood Barn home to provide greater privacy.

In documents supporting their application, the Beckhams say their current access to Tracey Lane is problematic as it is a disposable cul-de-sac with heavy and ‘unsafe’ traffic levels.

But the plans being considered by the council have already been met with local backlash.

Joan Lane, who lives in Great Tew, said: ‘I must strongly object to this proposal.

‘The house already has a perfectly usable access road, so why is laying another tarmac into the woods considered a good idea?

‘Roamers use the lane and should not be disturbed by giant SUVs lumbering up and down. Please do not allow this application.’

In planning documents, a representative for the Beckhams described it as a ‘modest, sensitively designed transformation’.

They argued that this would ‘modestly improve the existing crossovers and gates on Ledwell Lane for safe residential use’.

The Beckhams have applied to West Oxfordshire District Council to change part of an existing agricultural road to create a secondary residential access

Soho Farmhouse (pictured) is much-loved by influencers who want to experience a bit of the celebrity lifestyle on the weekends and no doubt want to catch a glimpse of the Beckhams.

In documents supporting their application, the Beckhams say their current access to Tracey Lane is problematic as it is a disposable cul-de-sac with heavy and ‘unsafe’ traffic levels

In planning documents a representative for the Beckhams described it as a ‘modest, sensitively designed transformation’ (proposed improvements pictured)

An angry neighbor said their offer should be turned down because it would affect stragglers who should not be ‘disturbed by giant SUVs going up and down’.

The statement added: ‘The works are being carefully designed to preserve the rural, heritage and landscape character of the area, whilst responding to operational, safety and comfort needs.’

The Beckhams’ rep continued that an ‘agricultural, understated character’ would be maintained and any lighting would be ‘minimal’ if required later.

David and Victoria were previously accused of a ‘drip feeding’ project at their Cotswolds home.

They made multiple applications to work in Grade II-listed country houses.

Currently the Beckhams’ estate near Great Tew has single-lane cul-de-sac access, which also serves as the only way for visitors to get to the nearby Soho Farmhouse

David and Victoria’s private beach caught the attention of West Oxfordshire Council after it was seen in scenes in the new Netflix docuseries (pictured)

Since purchasing the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, the couple have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage annex, tennis court, treehouse, security lodge, garage annex extension and a landscaped pond.

A decision on the latest plans will be made by West Oxfordshire District Council at a later date.

This isn’t the first time the Beckhams have caused unrest among their Cotswolds neighbors due to construction work in their hometown.

The man-made lake and sandpit on the property sparked significant controversy among locals after planning documents were first submitted ahead of its construction in 2020.

It is understood that municipal officials launched an investigation into the 1,000 square meter sandbank following complaints that it violated the development agreement.

A source said: ‘Neighbors think it’s completely out of line with the surrounding area and are very reluctant to comply with the rules.’

The beach bordering their huge lake was visible between a wooden pier and a safari tent as the couple tearfully discussed Victoria’s ambitions and their future together.

But when the kidney-shaped lake was established, the rules were extremely specific so that it would ‘adapt well in the rural context’.

Detailed notes and diagrams at the time said the surrounding area should be landscaped like an ‘organic parkland’, with wildflower meadows, native trees, shrubs and other plants to provide a habitat for nesting birds, small animals and insects.

The council is currently investigating concerns that the beach is not consistent with what was agreed.

A source said: ‘Neighbors think it’s completely out of line with the surrounding area and are very reluctant to comply with the rules.’

West Oxfordshire District Council confirmed: ‘A report of planning infringement has been received and will now be investigated.’

The safari tent near the beach was built by a company owned by the couple’s director friend Guy Ritchie. Guy Ritchie was ordered to remove similar tents himself from the lake at Ashcombe House in Wiltshire after they were seen in the trailer for Netflix series The Gentlemen.

Initial plans to install their lake, a four-metre deep area of ​​water spanning 3,000 square meters and surrounded by an array of wildflowers and trees, were initially thwarted due to the potential impact on locally protected wildlife such as great crested newts.

At the time, the lake was the last in a long line of rigs to be built on the Cotswolds estate after permission was previously granted to install a secret underground tunnel, wine cellar and ‘super garage’.

The Heritage Impact Statement included in the submission stated that the proposed lake would be ‘approached and surrounded by a mowed grass path which will find its way across the newly created gently sloping grassy meadow area’.

The planning application also stated that surrounding trees would include ‘Hazelnut, Oak, Honeysuckle, Prickly Thorn’ and more.

In 2023, the couple won a controversial tender to convert a barn in the garden of their extensive property into offices; They had sought permission to create three separate office spaces in the building, complete with bathrooms, skylights and external wooden staircases.

David and Victoria’s Cotswolds home featured heavily in the former England captain’s four-part Netflix documentary, in which he said: ‘I wanted somewhere we could escape.

As soon as I enter the countryside, I also enter my rural environment, which I am not normally in at the moment. I’ve got a stick in my hand, I’m walking around, I’m sitting here with a cup of coffee. My favorite view of the house. I can also see Victoria from the upper window if she is naked.’