David and Victoria Beckham have submitted fresh plans to install lighting around their distinctive “Love Island” pond in their Cotswold estate, taking care to protect local wildlife, particularly bats.
The couple first received planning permission in 2020 to construct a kidney-shaped pond on their sprawling Great Tew property in Oxfordshire. However, this approval came with strict conditions to ensure the development harmonized with the rural environment.
Concerns arose after a Netflix documentary revealed the completed pond and an adjacent “private beach,” leading to questions about whether the Beckhams had exceeded their original planning consent.
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Now, the Beckhams have applied to meet two key requirements set by the local council regarding the pond’s expansion and the addition of an island featuring a firepit and diverse vegetation.
Aerial photos of the property reveal the large pond and island, underscoring the importance of adhering to environmental guidelines. One major condition demands that any external lighting plans must be submitted and approved before installation to minimize light pollution impacting wildlife corridors and foraging bats.
The council emphasized that no additional lighting may be installed without prior consent, underscoring the need to protect local bat populations.
The second condition involves presenting a detailed landscape scheme. This plan must specify the locations, types, and quantities of plantings, alongside the proposed methods of enclosure and screening, including mounding, walls, fences, and materials for hard surfaces.
Consultants Portus + Whitton have also submitted a five-year maintenance plan for the site as part of this application. The proposed lighting and tree placement are illustrated in the Beckhams’ documentation.
West Oxfordshire Council will review and decide on this new application in due course.
Since purchasing their Grade-II listed Maplewood Barn estate in 2016 for £6.15 million, the Beckhams have undertaken a series of enhancements including a new driveway, gates, additional garage buildings, a tennis court, a treehouse, a security hut, home extensions, and landscaped grounds centered around the pond.
Their ongoing development has sparked frustration among some neighbors, who have accused the couple of gradually transforming the rural property with suburban features. One local even jokingly speculated that the Beckhams might next seek permission to install a funfair ride in the garden.
Despite mixed reactions, the Beckhams appear committed to improving their estate while responding to planning authority concerns and environmental considerations.