David and Victoria Beckham face fresh planning row after incensed neighbours noticed a man-made beach at their sprawling garden lake in new Netflix documentary

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David and Victoria Beckham walked hand-in-hand, deep in thought about what’s next, as they enjoyed a stroll around the beautiful gardens of their large country home in the Cotswolds.

This is a key scene in a new Netflix documentary that follows Victoria’s journey from her time with The Spice Girls to her successful transformation into a high-fashion designer and the founder of a famous worldwide fashion brand.

While enjoying the view of their unique kidney-shaped lake, the couple unknowingly learn about a local controversy. The lake was built in 2020, and its initial plans sparked debate among residents.

The recent construction of a private beach has prompted a response from West Oxfordshire Council.

Council officials are investigating a 1,000 square foot sand bank following a complaint that it violates a previous planning agreement.

According to a source, locals believe the situation is unusual for the neighborhood and are anxious about following the rules.

The couple sat by the beach, tears in their eyes as they talked about Victoria’s dreams and what their life together might look like. The beach lay between a wooden pier and a large safari tent, overlooking the vast lake.

However, when the kidney-shaped lake was built, strict guidelines were put in place to make sure it blended in with the surrounding countryside.

Original plans called for the area around the building to be turned into a natural, park-like landscape. This included planting wildflowers, native trees, and shrubs to create a home for birds, small animals, and insects.

The council is now investigating concerns that the beach is not consistent with what was agreed. 

West Oxfordshire District Council stated that they’ve received a complaint about a possible planning violation and will be looking into it.

The safari tent near the beach was made by a firm owned by the couple’s mogul friend, Guy Ritchie.

The film director had to take down tents near a lake at Ashcombe House in Wiltshire after they appeared in a preview for his Netflix show, Gentlemen.

The couple’s first attempt to build a lake – a 3,000 square meter area of water about four meters deep, designed to be surrounded by wildflowers and trees – was denied because of concerns it might harm local wildlife.

According to a 2020 report, losing grassland habitat could harm vulnerable animals like amphibians (including great crested newts), reptiles, mammals, and birds that nest on the ground.

‘The grassland may also show botanical interest.’

The lake was the newest addition to the Cotswolds estate, following previous approvals for a hidden underground tunnel, wine cellar, and a large garage.

The application detailed that the area will be planted with a variety of native trees and shrubs, including hazel, oak, honeysuckle, bramble, sycamore, wayfaring trees, yew, hornbeam, birch, hawthorn, crab apple, and sorbus.

According to the Heritage Impact Statement, the planned lake will be roughly kidney-shaped and located in the lower-lying southern portion of the property.

A path of neatly cut grass will surround it, curving through a newly established, gently sloping meadow.

I’m envisioning a contrast here – a more relaxed, natural area away from the house, versus a beautifully manicured lawn right by the home. That formal lawn will flow right down to the lake’s edge on the north side, keeping everything looking polished and tidy.

The Beckhams did not respond to a request for comment.

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2025-10-20 13:03