Neighbours attack Beckhams over planning applications at £6m Cotswolds home
Angry neighbors have accused David and Victoria Beckham of “abusing” the planning system to make significant changes to their £6million Cotswolds home.
Planning documents show angry submissions to West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) claiming the Beckhams had “drip-fed” more than 30 applications rather than submitting a single masterplan to “make sure they got what they wanted”.
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, a tennis court, a treehouse, a security lodge, an extension to the garage annex and a landscaped pond and “beach”.
The Beckhams recently applied to create a second entrance to their Chipping Norton home, altering and widening the existing lane, as well as making “improvements” to the pavement and gates at the entrance.
But the application, some elements of which were submitted retrospectively, was labeled a “joke” by uneasy neighbors who said the couple had “paved the road, installed gates, supplied electricity to the gate… planted trees, [and] Before asking for permission, I installed post and rail fences on both sides of this road.
A neighbor accused the council of not requiring a master plan from the couple and instead allowing them to gradually submit smaller applications.
“Before long, I am sure from recent events, the five-bar gate will be replaced, stone pillars will be erected and sturdy double electric gates 6ft high with CCTV and lighting above the pillars will be constructed,” he wrote.
“Lighting will be installed along the track, pay attention, this may not happen now, but after a few months. Just like the small pond approved on August 4, 2020, and without much time to get your feet wet, another application was approved on January 8, 2021 for a large lake with islands, oh, we should not forget the beach.
“I hope this time the Council will step up and do something about it, it would be unfair to residents who abide by planning legislation, but when it is abused the Council must act and act and I believe they will do so with this application,” he added.
Adding that there was “one rule for some,” the neighbor wrote: “I warned WODC about this in various letters between 2021 and 2023, but NO action was taken because of who the applicant was, as some say one rule for applicants at WODC another rule for others, others in the area have refrained from doing so, not so lucky I can name a few.”
Another objector said: “Hello, I must strongly object to this offer. I already have it at home.” [one] It’s a perfectly usable access road so why is another piece of asphalt laid into the forest considered a good idea? Travelers use the strip and should be left undisturbed[b]with the giant SUV lumbering up and down. [sic]. Please do not allow this practice.”
The application is still awaiting approval.
Representatives for the Beckhams and WODC have been contacted for comment.
