David and Victoria Beckham have obtained planning permission to install "Blackpool-style" illuminations around a lake at their £6.15 million Cotswolds property. The approval from West Oxfordshire District Council also covers a hot tub and a firepit, despite objections from a neighbor who lives in Perth, Western Australia.
The objector, James Worthington, had submitted a series of complaints to the council, alleging that the Beckhams were transforming the rural countryside into a "Miami or Florida"-like setting with "suburbia-style" features. Worthington admitted in objection letters that he has been living outside the UK since 2019.
Worthington criticized the couple's planning applications, which he claimed were "drip-fed" over time, arguing they did not present a cohesive long-term vision for the estate. He questioned the placement of festoon lighting and spotlights, asking if the area had been mistaken for Blackpool.
In comments submitted regarding the hot tub, Worthington sarcastically noted its appearance on a new layout plan, questioning if it was a "new toy for the wildlife." The Beckhams had installed the hot tub on the lake shore and a firepit on its island without prior permission.
The latest approval comes with specific conditions, including a ban on motorized boats and a recommendation to avoid using the firepit during the bird nesting season from March to August. The couple has also been granted permission to use non-motorized boats on the lake, which their planners referred to as a "pond."
The lighting scheme, described as extensive, was approved by the council's ecology team, although they noted some reservations about the need for spotlights. However, they ultimately did not raise significant objections after amended plans were submitted, which included the removal of spotlights aimed at trees. The ecology team concluded that the revised landscaping and lighting would not materially affect the amenity of neighboring properties or harm wildlife, minimizing light spill and ecological impact.
This decision follows a separate planning dispute earlier this year, where the Beckhams successfully gained approval for a new driveway at the estate, allowing them to maintain separate access from visitors to the nearby Soho Farmhouse.
Representatives for the Beckhams have been contacted for comment.