David and Victoria Beckham’s plans to build a huge lake at their £6million Cotswolds home has started- despite backlash from neighbours.
Diggers were pictured excavating the proposed site on Monday, with the couple planning to build a kidney-shaped lake of 4,170 sq metres complete with an island.
When David, 45, and Victoria, 46, submitted the plans, they were met with concern from fellow residents who voiced fears of the brood ‘racing speed boats and shattering the peace’.
Latest project: David and Victoria Beckham’s plans to build a huge lake at their £6million Cotswolds home has started- despite backlash from neighbours
Builders have made considerable progress with a huge area of the Beckham’s land turfed up and tons of soil removed.
The couple decided to expand the size of the lake from 2976 sq metres to 4,170 sq metres so they could add an island.
Despite protests from residents, the council gave the couple permission to create the water feature on their land in August.
Let the work begin: Diggers were pictured excavating the proposed site on Monday, with the couple planning to build a kidney-shaped lake of 4,170 sq metres complete with an island
Developments: The original plan was to create a kidney-shaped body of water, sized 2976 sq metres but the couple later expanded it
Huge lake: Despite protests from residents, the council gave the couple permission to create the water feature on their land in August
The Beckham family’s building pans had previously been blocked to protect wildlife before being given the green light under certain conditions.
The couple will have to plant hedgerows and trees to protect native birds, and also use special lights to help bats.
The lake has been the subject to much discussion from residents, with one writing to the council at the time of the proposal voicing their objection, asserting that ‘it is just not on!’
Lake side: The new plans increase the lake to 102 metres wide, 55.5 metres long with a 17 x 8 metre island
According to The Sun, one neighbour said in a letter of complaint to West Oxfordshire District Council: ‘I must object in the strongest terms to this new proposal. I was an objector to the original plan and my concerns were ignored.
‘I feel that his plan to enlarge the lake could increase the chances of flooding in the area considerably. Also, the lake looks just too large for the area it sits in.
‘It is out of keeping with the area and what is planned next? Motor boats zooming up and down and shattering the peace? it is just not on and should not be allowed.’
Race is on: The couple are now in a race against time to finish building the lake by February next year as workers can only be on site between August and February to protect nesting birds
Despite the uproar from neighbours, it is the Beckhams’ latest planning success after they were given the green light to build a wine cellar and a guard house.
The couple are now in a race against time to finish building the lake by February next year as workers can only be on site between August and February to protect nesting birds.
It must have an underground chamber – known as a hibernacula – to help support reptiles, amphibians and hedgehogs.
The council also requires the Beckhams to submit a five-year maintenance plan to show how they will support the area’s biodiversity.
Several residents objected to the plans. Neighbour Michael Douglas blasted the couple for ‘trying to bring suburbia to the countryside’.
He said: ‘If they had wanted all they have applied for, why not find an estate which was big enough to accommodate all of this.’
Country living: It the Beckhams’ latest planning success after they were given the green light to build a wine cellar and a guard house
However, West Oxfordshire District Council ignored residents’ objections to the Beckhams’ plans.
Some residents called it ‘ugly’, ‘monstrous’ and ‘out of keeping’ with the posh area.
The council’s report said it had three letters of objection from neighbours.
It summarised their concerns as: ‘Out of keeping. Won’t appear a natural feature. Will alter the visual impact of the countryside in that area of green fields with crops in them. Harmful to wildlife. How are they proposing to fill this lake?
‘If yet another bore hole, Soho Farmhouse, is drilled down it will of course affect the water table.’
However Ms Eldrige’s report said: ‘The site is in a relatively isolated location so the development will not impact any neighbouring properties.’
MailOnline has contacted the Beckham’s representatives for comment.
Animal lovers: The council also requires the Beckhams to submit a five-year maintenance plan to show how they will support the area’s biodiversity