Football legend David Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria are facing renewed criticism over their extensive renovation plans for their Oxfordshire country estate, with local residents accusing them of 'drip-feeding' changes to avoid proper scrutiny.
Three-decade planning battle
The celebrity couple have submitted more than 30 planning applications since purchasing their Grade-II listed property, Maplewood Barn, for £6.15 million in 2016. Their latest proposal for a new access road has sparked fresh objections from neighbours and planning officials alike.
Local objector James Worthington has directly challenged West Oxfordshire District Council planners, demanding to know: "How can the applicants get away with submitting 31 planning applications on this one property?" He argues the council should have requested a comprehensive masterplan from the beginning rather than allowing piecemeal applications.
Controversial access road plans
The most recent application focuses on creating a secondary residential entrance by converting an agricultural track into a tarmacked access road connecting to Ledwell Lane. The Beckhams' representatives claim the current access via Tracey Lane is problematic because it's a single-track cul-de-sac that also serves as the only route for visitors to the exclusive Soho Farmhouse.
In supporting documents, the couple's team described the proposals as a "modest, sensitively designed conversion" that would "improve safety, convenience and journey reliability" while reducing reliance on the constrained Tracey Lane. However, part of the application is retrospective, meaning some work has already been completed before formal approval.
Neighbourhood backlash grows
Local residents have expressed multiple concerns about the Beckhams' ongoing development works. Objections have highlighted various unusual additions to the rural property, including what Mr Worthington described as "a beach close to the large lake" and "dangerous fencing with substantial barbed wire" in an area populated by wild deer and other wildlife.
One neighbour previously argued the access road proposal should be rejected because it would impact walkers who deserve to remain "undisturbed by giant SUV's lumbering up and down" the rural lanes.
The extensive list of approved and proposed changes to the property includes:
- A new driveway and gates
- Additional garage outbuilding with extension
- Tennis court facilities
- Treehouse construction
- Security hut installation
- Landscaped pond development
West Oxfordshire District Council continues to review the latest application and has yet to issue a formal recommendation. The decision on whether to approve the Beckhams' latest planning request will be determined at a future council meeting.
