Former Prime Minister David Cameron is embracing his gardening passion with plans for a large vegetable patch at his Cotswolds residence. Cameron and his wife Samantha have submitted an application to West Oxfordshire District Council to replace a rundown greenhouse and establish a dedicated area for growing vegetables such as potatoes and carrots.
The couple’s renewed interest in horticulture comes after stepping back from frontline politics, with their representatives noting they have “become more green-fingered” in recent years. The proposal includes constructing new outbuildings made from oak beams and brick to host ten raised garden beds, designed to enhance both the practicality and enjoyment of the property.
The development plan aims to utilize an under-used section of the garden, integrating the vegetable beds with relocated greenhouse facilities and storage for gardening tools and machinery. The design intends to be modest in scale and sensitive to the village’s conservation setting, carefully positioned behind existing structures and woodland to minimize visual impact.
In their statement, Cameron’s team emphasized the improved layout for gardening activities: “The proposed siting makes better use of the sun’s orientation and privacy, ensuring minimal impact on neighbours and the surrounding National Landscape.” They also highlighted that the current storage arrangements are insufficient for the couple’s gardening equipment, prompting the need for these enhancements.
This latest move follows a protracted planning saga involving a swimming pool at the property. Initially submitted in 2020, the pool plans faced strong opposition with neighbours fearing the transformation of the quiet village into a ‘tacky Benidorm’ style resort. After withdrawing and revising the application, Cameron eventually secured approval last month despite some continued concerns about potential rowdy gatherings.
As a member of the House of Lords, Cameron now hopes for a smoother approval process for his vegetable garden project. No public comments have been recorded so far on the new application, which remains under consideration by the council with a decision pending.