David and Victoria Beckham ‘are facing a new neighbours row over plans to turn the barn at their £12m Cotswolds mansion into offices’
David and Victoria Beckham ‘are facing a new neighbours row over plans to turn the barn at their £12m Cotswolds mansion into offices’
David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly facing yet another planning row over their £12million Cotswolds mansion.
The former footballer, 48, and fashion designer, 49, are reportedly planning to turn a barn in the garden of their vast property into offices, after already upsetting locals by receiving planning permission to build a new road.
According to The Sun, representatives for Victoria and David have requested permission to create three office spaces in the barn, alongside a building.
The barn, which is situated in the grounds of their country retreat and currently stores David’s gardening equipment, will still be accessed by an external wooden staircase.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for David and Victoria Beckham for comment.
Drama: David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly facing yet another planning row over their £12million Cotswolds mansion
David and Victoria have just been granted planning permission to build a new glasshouse and raised kitchen.
In July, the couple also asked for permission to construct a new 250m access road into their sprawling holiday home while the glasshouse is built.
However, a neighbour has objected to the plans and slammed them as ‘pointless’ and a ‘waste of resources’, according to The Sun.
In comments submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council, they reportedly said: ‘Hi, I object to this because it is a needless use of materials.
‘There is already an access road to the property so what is the point of laying another road just to build a fancy greenhouse? That seems pointless and a waste of resources.’
David is said to have asked for permission to build a new access road between his home and a nearby farm track away from the original road into the property.
He reportedly wants to divert building traffic down the new 250m road while the glasshouse is constructed.
The reported new row comes just weeks after the Daily Mail revealed David and Victoria are planning to build a huge outdoor kitchen in their garden.
New works: The former footballer and fashion designer are reportedly planning to turn a barn in the garden of their vast property into offices
Project: In July, the couple also asked for permission to construct a new 250m access road into their sprawling holiday home while the glasshouse is built (pictured in 2017)
Plans: The former footballer and his fashion designer wife have already been granted planning permission to build a new glasshouse and raised kitchen
The couple have put in for permission for the stand alone building which will be made out of glass.
An application for permission for the latest enhancement to the lavish property was lodged with West Oxfordshire council in June. Plans show that the kitchen will be surrounded with wild plants and several tables and chairs for guests.
It is not the first time the pair have had a planning row, as they previously won a battle over building a large lake with its own island at their Cotswolds mansion.
The couple received permission to create a 2,976 square metre kidney-shaped water feature in August 2020, despite objections from furious residents, and they again angered locals when they applied to increase the size by 40 per cent in December.
Amid the row, the West Oxfordshire District Council’s assistant biodiversity officer then approved the plans, so long as the family didn’t use motorised boats, The Sun reported at the time.
They said: ‘I understand that the justification for the amended design is to provide an aesthetic improvement as well as to further enhance the site for biodiversity. I consider this satisfactory.’
However, they added some restrictions should be applied, continuing: ‘I therefore recommend that a specific condition is applied that refers to the type of boats to be used on the water, such as restricting the use of speedboats.’
In October 2021, they were then granted planning permission to build a new office at their country home – on the condition they look after the existing wildlife.
They submitted an application to West Oxfordshire District Council to build an outhouse at their Grade-II listed property and later had it approved, so long as they shared it with the birds and bats that already live there.
The Beckhams bought the home in Great Tew, near Chipping Norton, for £6.1million in December 2016 when it was just three Grade II listed barns linked in an E-shaped pattern.
Home: The Beckhams bought the home in Great Tew, near Chipping Norton, for £6.1million in December 2016 when it was just three Grade II listed barns linked in an E-shaped pattern
At the time, it resembled a building site and David spent months renovating along with builders, and they have spent millions on the renovations over the past six years.
The couple have gradually added more facilities, including a football pitch, a spectator stand, an outdoor pool, and a sauna.
It also boasts an enormous garage for the family’s fleet of flashy cars and a motorbikes. Most recently they added a £50,000 safari-style tent to the grounds – which are now estimated to be worth around £12million.
The lodge is 45ft long and 35ft wide and is said to be made by the Cashmere Caveman Company, owned by Mr Beckham’s close friend, the film director Guy Ritchie.
David and Victoria spend a lot of time at their holiday and weekend home, and recently gave a glimpse inside the property’s sprawling kitchen.
