David and Samantha Cameron have received approval to construct a substantial vegetable garden at their £2 million estate in the Cotswolds. The plan includes ten raised beds, a new greenhouse, and additional outbuildings for garden equipment.
The application to West Oxfordshire District Council detailed the couple's increasing enthusiasm for gardening since David Cameron stepped down from frontline politics. Representatives for the Camerons stated in planning documents that they desired a dedicated area for gardening activities and equipment storage, noting a wish to enhance an underutilized section of their property.
The approval for the garden comes weeks after the Camerons concluded a six-year dispute with neighbors over the construction of an outdoor swimming pool. Initial plans for the pool, submitted in 2020, were withdrawn after some residents objected, citing concerns about potential noise from parties and machinery, and describing the proposal as reminiscent of a "tacky Benidorm resort."
Despite these previous objections, the plans for the vegetable garden faced no opposition. The couple's representatives emphasized that the proposed garden structures are modest in scale, made from materials that blend with the rural setting, and sited to minimize visual impact.
Following the initial withdrawal, the Camerons resubmitted revised plans for the swimming pool in December. The approved pool measures 13.7 meters by 4 meters. Planning officials determined that the pool, due to its placement and the size of the property, would not cause unacceptable disruption to neighbors. A separate application for a sunroom at the property was also approved this month.
David Cameron served as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016 and returned to government as Foreign Secretary in 2023. He and his wife purchased their Oxfordshire home in 2001. The property is now estimated to be worth approximately £2 million.