Football legend David Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria are embroiled in a fresh countryside conflict with their neighbours, as their ambitious plans for a new access road to their £6 million Cotswolds retreat have sparked outrage among local residents.
Planning Battle Erupts in Picturesque Village
The celebrity power couple, who purchased their idyllic Oxfordshire property in the exclusive Great Tew estate back in 2016, have submitted a formal application to build a new roadway connecting their mansion to the main village lane. However, the proposal has been met with fierce resistance from those living nearby.
Local residents have lodged multiple formal objections with West Oxfordshire District Council, raising serious concerns about increased traffic, safety hazards, and the potential destruction of the area's natural beauty.
Neighbours Voice Strong Opposition
One nearby homeowner didn't mince words in their objection, stating the Beckhams' plan would create "an alien and incongruous feature in this beautiful and historic landscape" that would "seriously harm the area's character and appearance."
Another resident highlighted safety fears, noting that the proposed entrance's position on a sharp bend and steep hill could lead to "increased risk of accidents" for both drivers and pedestrians enjoying the rural lanes.
Not the First Clash With Locals
This isn't the first time the Beckhams have faced opposition from their Cotswolds neighbours. Their previous attempts to build a new driveway were rejected by council planners in 2021 after similar complaints from residents.
The couple's representatives have argued that the new access road is necessary to improve safety for their family and visitors, claiming the current arrangement requires vehicles to reverse onto the main road - a situation they describe as potentially dangerous.
As the planning decision looms, the battle between global superstars and protective locals continues to unfold in one of England's most sought-after countryside locations.
