David and Victoria Beckham have emerged victorious from a planning dispute with neighbours over their Cotswolds country retreat, securing permission to create a new private driveway.
Planning Permission Granted Despite Objections
The power couple have been granted a "change of use" for an existing farm track, allowing them to transform it into an 800ft-long private driveway leading to their £12 million Oxfordshire estate. The new route will provide exclusive access, separating them from the shared lane currently used by visitors to the nearby celebrity members' club, Soho Farmhouse.
However, the application did not pass without controversy. Local residents voiced strong objections to the West Oxfordshire District Council. One neighbour submitted a letter questioning the need for a "second stretch of tarmac through the woods," arguing the existing access road was perfectly adequate. They expressed concern for ramblers being disturbed by "giant SUVs lumbering up and down."
Another objector captured the mood of some locals, stating: "Many locally have said enough is enough and it’s about time the planners indicated this to the applicants. Many think the Beckhams have been given far too much on a very small amount of land."
Enhancing Biodiversity at the Grade II Listed Estate
The approved plans include more than just a new driveway. The Beckhams' proposal involves constructing new entrance gates at both ends of the gravel track and planting trees alongside it. To promote local wildlife, the development will also feature a wildflower meadow and installations such as:
- Bird boxes and bat boxes
- Bug hotels
- Hedgehog houses
According to documents submitted to the council, construction work on the track commenced in June 2024 but remains unfinished. The couple's planning agent argued the scheme "integrates discreetly" with the agricultural landscape and causes no significant visual harm, addressing operational and safety needs while conserving the area's rural character.
A Decade of Development in the Countryside
The Beckhams purchased the Grade II listed property in December 2016 for a reported £6.15 million. Over the past decade, they have invested heavily in the estate, which already boasts a tennis court, treehouse, pond, and kitchen garden. Notable additions include a lake nearly three-quarters the size of a football pitch, complete with its own island, an orchard, and several outbuildings.
This Cotswolds haven is just one part of the family's substantial property portfolio. They also own a £40 million listed mansion in London and a £55 million Miami waterfront property purchased in cash in October 2024, featuring nine bedrooms, a home cinema, and a personal spa. The Sunday Times Rich List estimates their combined net worth at around £500 million.
