David and Victoria Beckham are planning to build a huge ‘kidney shaped’ lake on £6m Cotswolds estate
DAVID and Victoria Beckham are constructing a giant lake at their luxury Cotswolds home.
The couple have put in a planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council for a mammoth stretch of water, nearly 3000 square meters around and with a depth of four meters, at their £6m Cotswolds estate.
The new addition, if approved, will create a classic English meadow scene, with the lake surrounded by dozens of different types of grass, wildflowers, shrubs, bushes and trees at their Grade II-listed house in Great Tew.
The planning application states: "Species for planting on the bund include Hazel, Oak, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Sycamore, Wayfaring trees Yew, Hornbeam, Birch, Hawthorn, Crab apple, Wild cherry and Sorbus."
The Heritage Impact Statement adds: "The proposed lake (or large pond) will be broadly kidney-shaped and will be situated in the southern half of these grounds, in the lowest-lying part of the site.
"It will be approached and encircled by a mown grass path which will wend its way through newly created gently sloping grass meadowland; this will be distinct from the formal lawn closer to the house, which will extend as neatly mown grass down to the northern edge of the lake.”
According to the Landscape Design Statement, "the mix will flower all summer long, giving bees, hoverflies and butterflies a feast of nectar and pollen."
That will be music to former England football captain David’s ears as last month wife Victoria showed off her husband’s beekeeping skills, uploading a video to Instagram of him building a beehive.
Victoria - also known to fans as Posh Spice - asked: "David decided to start building beehives.
"Is that your new project darling?"
David then cheekily replied: "It is. You'll be very happy when we've got our own honey.”
Their £6.15m property - where the family has been quarantining during the coronavirus pandemic - already has a “fairytale garden” designed by Chelsea Flower Show winner Marcus Barnett, which includes a pergola.
There is also a "natural swimming pond" - using water recycled from the main house - and a fruit orchard of plum, pear, crab apple, wild cherry and witch hazel trees.
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The lake will also be raised around the banks to give the family more privacy.
The application adds that the lake will "improve the landscape both aesthetically and in terms of biodiversity, whilst also adding to the enjoyment of the family."
Reps for the Beckhams declined to comment.