Oxford News
Beckhams in Cotswolds war with neighbour who lives 9,000 miles away
The former Manchester United and England footballer and his Spice Girl wife have lived at the spot for around a decade.
Their Great Tew estate is situated along an unnamed road opposite Soho Farmhouse, an exclusive private members’ club.
Found on two acres of land, the barn conversion has had extensive renovations, including a glasshouse, a large pond, an underground wine cellar and an Astroturf football pitch.
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The 14,270 sq ft property was built in 2018 and includes nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, a movie theatre and even a gym.
On several previous occasions, the celebrity family has clashed with locals over plans at the home.
Now, a man who has repeatedly objected to plans for the celebrity couple’s luxury Cotswolds home is based more than 9,000 miles away, it has emerged.
James Worthington has filed multiple objections to planning applications for the couple’s Grade II-listed property near Great Tew, Oxfordshire, criticising proposals he claims would bring “suburbia-style” elements to the countryside.
In written objections, he has accused the Beckhams of trying to turn the rural area into “Miami or Florida” and has taken particular issue with features around their man‑made lake at the property, known as Maplewood Barn.
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The Beckhams have submitted a series of planning bids for their estate, including the installation of LED lighting around the lake.
In letters sent to West Oxfordshire District Council in 2023 and 2026, Mr Worthington alleged the couple were eroding the village’s rural character and “drip‑feeding” applications rather than setting out a wider plan for the site.
In one objection, he wrote: “What is proposed is more akin to Miami or Florida, NOT GREAT TEW.”
He also questioned the proposed lighting, asking: “Spotlights, is this really Great Tew or have I mistaken this area for Blackpool?”
Although his correspondence gives the impression he is a local resident, Mr Worthington acknowledged in one letter that he had been “working away from the UK since 2019”, while providing an address in Perth, Western Australia, according to The Times.
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Residents in Great Tew, which has around 160 people, told the newspaper they did not recognise his name.
John Mitchinson, chairman of Great Tew’s parish meetings, said: “Mr Worthington is a mystery to all of us.
“We have never heard of him, and as far as we know, he does not live in Great Tew.”
Another long‑standing villager, Mr Richard Davis, 80, who has lived there for about 60 years, added: “This Mr Worthington character is definitely not a villager, I can guarantee that.”
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
This Oxford Mail archive gallery of pictures show shots mostly taken by staff photographer Jon Lewis in the summer of 2006.
From the city to the towns and villages of the county, this collection shows a range of summer fun from two decades ago.
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End-of-term school events feature in this collection, with school plays and sports days both featured.
Pictures of friendly World Cup rivalry between opposing team’s fans show not much has changed in some respects over the past 20 years.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to be transported back to June 2006.
Thames Valley Police’s roads policing department focused operations on two-wheeled vehicles in Oxford today, Sunday, June 28, catching multiple riders committing driving offences.
One of them was a rider who was allegedly ‘drug driving’, who was arrested for the offence.
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Police said six other vehicles were seized for having no insurance and two for having no road tax, with more than one of them delivery riders who had to ‘complete their deliveries on foot’.
Officers said: “We’re sorry if this meant your zesty beverages were slightly warm on arrival.”
Two other seizures were for e-bikes being ridden illegally, one of which was clocked travelling at 56km/h without any pedalling from the rider.
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A spokesperson for the force said: “Our advice – tax and Insure your vehicle, don’t drive if you’re not licenced and don’t use an e-bike capable of travelling at the national speed limit.
“Failing that, we’ll catch up with you later in the week and take your vehicle off your hands – for a small fee of course.”
Laws on riding e-bikes in the UK state that they must have pedal assist only power, a power limited of no more than 250 watts and should travel at a maximum of 15.5mph, or 25km/h.
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