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David and Victoria Beckham’s plans for a log shop in their £6million (€7million) home have hit a snag – after an appeal over its environmental impact.
The celebrity duo are looking to add the drywood shop to pre-approved extensions to their Cotswolds hideaway, apparently enjoying cozy nights in front of a roaring fire.
But they have been accused of “flying in the face” of the government’s clean air strategy for not relying on greener heating methods such as an electric heat pump.
The proposed changes are in addition to the recently granted planning permission to construct an outbuilding in the listed country house.
In documents accompanying the application, the Beckham family representative said the changes were intended to “allow for minor material changes to the approved drawings.”
They added: “The proposed change is the addition of a bay slope on the west gable end and a covered lumber store on the east, as well as minor changes to the layout.”
They described it as “modest compared to the approved plan and said it matched the character and style of the approved annex”.
However, a formal objection to the program has now been filed as part of the application for Maplewood Barn near Great Tew.
A member of the public stated: “I oppose this application as it is a log store to keep wood to be burned dry.
“This goes against the government’s clean air strategy.”
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The person ends the objection by saying “Save the Planet”.
Planning permission for the previous plans was granted on the condition that the building, to be used as an office and high-tech vehicle warehouse, be designed to provide an “attractive environment for nesting birds and bats”.
The new application was made in April this year to amend a condition of the existing approval and is still under consideration by the Council.
The original planning application was given the green light as long as the celebrity couple takes care of the wildlife present there.
The planners said: “Prior to the erection of external walls, the details of providing at least one integrated bat box and at least one integrated bird box in the walls of the new build should be submitted to the local building authority for approval.”
Former England footballer David and fashion designer wife Victoria must also “ensure that bats, birds, badgers, hedgehogs, reptiles and amphibians are protected under the Habitats and Species Conservation Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Landscapes Act 1981 will”.
They are also prohibited from installing outdoor lights that “would directly illuminate the bat box or hedge row without prior permission to protect roosting, foraging, or community bats.”
It also noted that the Beckhams must have a “five-year follow-up plan” and that there must be “no external lighting” that could harm wildlife.
The Cotswolds mansion, estimated to be worth around £6.15million, has undergone several refurbishments in recent years.
Features of the rural property, which is close to the private members’ club Soho Farmhouse, include a giant soccer field equipped with a spectator stand, an outdoor swimming pool and a sauna.
It’s also said to include a wine cellar, plunge pool, and huge garage outfitted with flashy cars and a motorbike.
The Beckham family are said to be bouncing back and forth between their Oxfordshire home, a £31million mansion in London and a £19million penthouse in Miami, Florida.