David and Victoria Beckham do not seem to be in the good books of their Cotswold neighbours as they proposed plans to develop their property.
A local resident slammed the famous pair for “trying to bring suburbia to the countryside” with their latest project.
The celebrity couple, who divide their time between the UK and LA in the United States, have submitted plans to create a heart shaped pond, angering their neighbours.
As part of the major construction plan, they have suggested a 24-hour security gatehouse, wine cellar and underground tunnel.
One fuming neighbour Michael Douglas’s email to the council was exposed by The Sun Online, stipulating further objection after not condoning the gatehouse plans.
He penned: “I now note a further new application has been submitted regarding the Beckham’s Barn, regarding change of use of land to extend the residential curtilage and installation of ‘a heart shaped pond’.
“What they appear to want is to bring suburbia into the countryside, if they had wanted all they have applied for why not find an estate which was big enough to accommodate all of this.”
His concern seemed to stem around the hill that Posh and Becks would create using the pond remains to conceal their grounds.
He added: “The fact they want to use the soil dug out for this proposed pond and a Bund to protect their privacy changes the whole landscape of the area of fields.
“The statement says, ‘The intention for the pond is to improve the landscape aesthetically’ how can you improve the landscape around Great Tew and surrounding areas, what you have at the moment is crop, planted fields, that’s what farmland is and used for, it’s always been green and planted and the land has always been fields.
“They also add ‘to the enjoyment of family living’. If they don’t want to live in the countryside in an open area of green fields, why buy the properties in the first instance after all they have properties in Los Angeles, Florida, New York and London.”
The Beckhams’ pad neighbours the trendy Soho Farmhouse retreat which is a popular rural getaway for celebs.
Taking another dig at their desire for more privacy, Mr Douglas said: “Had they wanted more privacy why buy barns so close to a public lane which all members of the public can use even those attending Soho House.
“I believe the planning department needs to draw a line and refuse this new planning application.”
The publication also reported that two other locals had also dismissed the Beckhams’ plan, with one resident describing the pond as “monstrous”.
West Oxfordshire District Council will now collate all responses as they stew over whether they will grant planning permission in the next few weeks.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk