Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner win row over plans to build a ‘£30k’ horse walker on their estate amid their ongoing planning battles with neighbours

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Geri Halliwell and her husband, Christian Horner, have received approval to build a £30,000 automated horse exerciser on their property, resolving a dispute with their neighbors over the plans.

Victoria Beckham, age 53, and her husband Christian Horner, 52, a former Formula One team leader, are planning to build a 77-foot tower on their property.

The couple runs a horse racing business, OMBI, and recently constructed new stables at their Oxfordshire home to house 14 horses.

People living nearby protested the construction because they worried it was too tall and would spoil the view.

Okay, so they said they were going to plant twelve trees – twelve! – to try and cover up whatever they’re building, but honestly, people aren’t buying it. I mean, loads of official complaints have been sent to the council, seriously. Everyone’s worried about what’s going on, and those trees just aren’t enough to hide it, you know?

Despite some concerns, the council has allowed Geri and Christian to build their project, but with several firm requirements they must follow.

The council’s report states that the building can only be used for personal horse-related activities and managing the land. It specifically prohibits any business operations, such as riding lessons, training, boarding horses for others, or hosting competitions.

Although the walker has a relatively steep roof given its size, its overall design is practical and serves its purpose.

As a long-time admirer of this area, I believe the design truly fits in. It’s carefully placed, isn’t overly large, and respects the rural, horse-friendly feel of the countryside. It won’t spoil the beauty of the landscape, and actually complements it nicely, in my opinion.

A resident expressed concerns to The Sun, stating they weren’t against the idea of a horse walker itself, but they disapproved of the current proposal.

The planned building would be very noticeable from our land, other homes in the village, and the main road.

This wouldn’t be allowed in a countryside conservation area because it would drastically alter the area’s natural feel and appearance.

The saga is the latest in a long-running planning row with their neighbours.

Oh my gosh, can you believe it? They’re at it again! This time it’s over a pizza oven – a brick pizza oven they built in the garden of their amazing, historic house. Everyone’s saying it wasn’t allowed, that it’s ‘illegal’ somehow, and honestly, I’m just living for the drama! It’s like, leave them alone to enjoy their pizza!

They had previously clashed with local residents after constructing a pergola and gazebo without getting the necessary permissions.

Honestly, it’s gotten a bit much. As a longtime resident, I’ve always loved how peaceful our village is, but this couple seems to be constantly working on their house, and it’s really disturbing the quiet. It honestly feels a little like they’re deliberately trying to annoy us – the other day they even put fairy lights all over their pergola! It just feels…excessive, and a bit like a joke at our expense.

Geri and Christian have reapplied to build a gazebo with an oak frame and lead roof, along with a brick pizza oven. They haven’t finished building it yet.

The couple re-applied for planning permission for just the pergola in the middle of January.

In their latest application, the applicants state that construction on the gazebo began on April 14th of last year. Now, nine months later, they are applying to get official approval for the work that was done without it.

They indicated that the site is not visible from any public road, path, or land.

It’s hard to say for sure, but recent photos suggest you can see the pergola from the grounds of the nearby church.

The original application for both pergola and gazebo were badly received by residents.

Several neighbours also submitted objections on the application.

One resident complained that the structure had already been constructed, including a sauna that was taller than the existing wall, which violates local preservation guidelines.

Honestly, it’s just infuriating! Another neighbor pointed out something SO obvious – the council should have known about this construction for months! They were there signing off on the pool and everything else, so how could they not notice it? It’s like they deliberately turned a blind eye, and it’s driving me crazy!

‘Questions need to be asked and answered. Somehow, a 30 foot long pergola was missed.’

Another neighbour questioned why action hadn’t been taken sooner to stop the development.

They added: ‘This was once a beautiful quaint property and plot in this conservation area.

‘Where are you inspectors, or do the rules not apply here?’ 

Honestly, I was shocked when I heard the council objecting! It’s not that the pergola is bad – they even admitted it’s well-built! But apparently, if you’re looking at the church from that particular garden spot, the pergola… distracts from it? They’re saying it ruins the view of this amazing, historically important church – it’s Grade I listed, you know! – and messes with its surroundings. It feels so petty! Like, the church is still there, isn’t it? It’s just… infuriating that something so small is causing this much fuss.

The team also pointed out that a red brick pizza oven, complete with a chimney, has been built.

‘Based on its construction I would consider this development.

The chimney is visible above the wall and, taken together with other issues, is believed to negatively affect the historic building’s appearance.

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2026-03-28 16:52