David and Victoria Beckham reportedly won their planning battle over the construction of a large lake with their own island in their £ 6 million mansion in the Cotswolds.
The couple was allowed to create a 2,976 square meter kidney-shaped water fountain in August, despite objections from angry residents, and they again angered local residents when they signed up to increase their size by 40% in December.
And now it looks like they can finally finish construction after the West Oxfordshire District Council’s assistant biodiversity officer approved the latest plans – as long as the family doesn’t use motorized boats, reports The Sun.
Green light: David and Victoria Beckham reportedly won their planning battle over building a large lake with their own island in their £ 6 million Cotswolds mansion
The officer is thought to have authorized the expansion of the Grade II listed house, after worrying about ‘boat use’ on the lake.
They said: ‘I understand that the justification for the changed project is to provide an aesthetic improvement, as well as further increasing the site’s biodiversity. I find that satisfactory. ‘
However, they added some restrictions that should be applied, continuing: ‘Therefore, I recommend that a specific condition be applied that refers to the type of boats to be used on the water, such as restricting the use of speedboats.’
Although the speedboats appear to be out, the family should still be able to enjoy some paddling, as the officer added that ‘non-motorized boats’ would be ‘acceptable’.
A Beckhams representative declined to comment.
How to get there: construction of the house has already started after the couple’s original plans to make the lake were approved in August, they asked to increase it
David and Victoria sparked furor among residents with their plans to add the lake to their home, where they spent much of the first blockade in the UK.
In December, the powerful couple applied for permission to increase the lake’s size to 4,170 square meters and add an island, measuring 122 square meters.
The latest change in the field at Great Tew, near the famous Chipping Norton meeting place, is believed to make the lake about half the size of a football field.
Neighbor Sue Jones, who lived in the region most of her life, wrote a furious letter to the council.
She said: ‘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 think your plan to expand the lake could considerably increase the chances of flooding in the area.
Big plans: David and Victoria sparked furor among residents with their plans to add the lake to their home, where they spent much of the UK’s first blockade (photo with Brooklyn, Cruz, Harper and Romeo kids)
Plans: The first idea was to create a kidney-shaped body of water, measuring 2976 square meters, but the couple later expanded it to 4,170 square meters and added an island, measuring 122 square meters
‘Furthermore, the lake looks too big for the area where it is located. Does it not agree with the area and what is planned next? Motor boats going up and down and breaking the peace? It is simply not connected and should not be allowed. ‘
Other neighbors were opposed to the original proposals for the lake, with Michael Douglas criticized the couple for “trying to bring the suburb to the countryside”.
He added: ‘If they wanted everything they asked for, why not find a property that was big enough to accommodate all of that.’
Other residents called it ‘ugly’, ‘monstrous’ and ‘out of step’ with the chic area.
However, Beckham’s proposals state that the lake will recreate a classic scene from an English meadow. In the project declaration, he explained that the lake would be surrounded by dozens of different types of grass, wildflowers, shrubs, shrubs and trees.
Serene: in Beckham’s previous proposals, they said the lake will recreate a classic scene from an English meadow (pictured together)
It said: ‘The mixture will flourish all summer, giving bees, hoverflies and butterflies a feast of nectar and pollen.’
The couple is in a race against time to build the water reservoir by February as planned regulations for the stipulated workers in the original lake can only be in place between August and February to protect nesting birds.
The council also said the couple would have to plant hedges and trees to protect native birds, and also use special lights to help bats.
You should also have an underground chamber – known as hibernacula – to help support reptiles, amphibians and hedgehogs.
The Beckhams were also required to submit a five-year maintenance plan to show how they will support the area’s biodiversity.
Better get started! The couple (pictured) are in a race against time to build the water reservoir by February, as this is when planning regulations say that workers can no longer be on site