David and Victoria Beckham win planning dispute over Cotswolds estate

David and Victoria Beckham have emerged victorious in a planning dispute with local residents over their Cotswolds countryside estate, winning approval for a long-debated secondary driveway that has drawn criticism from some neighbours.

The couple, who own a Grade II-listed property near Great Tew in Oxfordshire, purchased in 2016 and now valued at around £12 million, had sought to convert an existing farm track into a separate access route for their home to avoid sharing the entrance with guests of the nearby Soho Farmhouse members’ club.

Work on the 800-foot extension began without prior permission, prompting objections from local residents and planners. 

According to Daily Mail, critics argued the additional driveway would disrupt the rural landscape, create unnecessary traffic through woodland areas and cater excessively to the lifestyle of the celebrity couple. 

Moreover, one neighbor wrote that the property already had a “perfectly serviceable access road” and questioned the need for another.

Despite these concerns, West Oxfordshire District Council has now granted retrospective planning consent and approved the change of use of the agricultural track, allowing the Beckhams’ project to move forward. 

The plans include new entrance gates and environmental enhancements such as tree planting and wildlife-friendly installations.

The decision caps another chapter in a series of planning applications by the Beckhams at the property, which has seen extensive renovations and additions over the past decade.

Some locals remain frustrated, seeing the outcome as yet another example of preferential treatment for high-profile homeowners.