David and Victoria Beckham have been given the green light for permission to make changes to their Cotswolds home – but there have been objections to the power couple’s plans
David and Victoria Beckham are celebrating a planning win over an extension to their Cotswolds estate.
The pair are said to have been at war with local residents over plans to construct a new driveway so they don’t have share access.
The couple plan to transform a farm track into a second access road leading directly to their £12million countryside haven in Oxfordshire that only they will use.
The duo found themselves in hot water with local council officials after forging ahead with an extension without planning permission.
Planners have now given the thumbs up for a “change of use” of the track, turning it into an 800ft-long driveway. The current route is shared with guests of the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse, a swanky members’ club and “rural escape” frequented by stars such as the Clooneys, Cara Delevingne, Daisy Lowe and Molly-Mae Hague.
However, one local resident “strongly objected” to the Beckhams’ proposal for secondary access to their Grade II listed estate, which features a tennis court, treehouse, pond and kitchen garden. In a letter, she questioned: “The house already has one perfectly serviceable access road so why is another stretch of tarmac land through the woods deemed a good idea? Ramblers use the lane and they should be left undisturbed by giant SUVs lumbering up and down. Please do not allow this application.”
Another objector penned: “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.”
As part of the plans, new entrance gates will be constructed at both ends of the loose gravel track, with proposed tree planting on either side. The development also includes a wildflower meadow and installations such as bird boxes, bug hotels, bat boxes, and hedgehog houses to enhance biodiversity.
Documents submitted to the local council indicate that construction work on the track extension commenced in June 2024, but is yet to be completed. The Beckhams also possess a £40million listed mansion in London, complete with an indoor pool, gym, and wine cellar.
Their planning agent stated: “The scheme integrates discreetly with its agricultural context and results in no significant landscape or visual harm. The works respond to operational, safety and amenity needs, while being carefully designed to conserve the rural, heritage and landscape character of the area.”
Tucked away in the Cotswolds, the Beckham’s country retreat has all the trappings of a cosy hideaway. Victoria, 51, and David, 50, purchased the Grade II listed home in December 2016 for a reported £6.15million.
However, since moving in a decade ago, the Beckhams have invested heavily in refurbishing their country haven. This includes constructing a lake nearly three-quarters the size of a football pitch, complete with its own island. The property also boasts an impressive orchard and several outbuildings.
The power couple, parents to Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, reportedly have a property empire of around. In addition to their properties in the Cotswolds and London, they also own a mega-mansion in Miami.
The Beckhams are one of the world ’s most recognisable families and have a combined net worth of £500million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List. As David is co-owner of Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, the Beckhams spend a lot of their time between the US and their UK properties.
David and Victoria have provided behind-the-scenes looks at their family life through their respective Netflix documentaries, with Victoria’s being released on the streaming platform earlier this year. The documentaries also gave a glimpse into the Beckhams’ property portfolio, which is worth a combined £111m.
The Beckham family first moved stateside after David joined LA Galaxy in 2007. Almost two decades on, the former Manchester United star remains strongly linked to the country through Inter Miami, a team he helped co-found that now boasts Lionel Messi as an integral part of their squad.
In October 2024, The Sun reported that the Beckhams had paid £55m in cash for a huge Miami mansion, which overlooks Biscayne Bay. The 14,270sqft property boasts nine bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, according to the Daily Mail, as well as a home cinema, personal spa, and swimming pool.
The kitchen is built to chef-standard, with ample outdoor spaces to entertain guests. Situated on the coast, the property also has mooring space for a yacht.
In addition to their Florida mansion, the Beckhams also own a penthouse in Miami. The 10,000sqft property was bought for £18m in 2020.
Source: Mirror
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