David Beckham 'set to win battle over controversial lake' amid 'war with locals'
Posted Wednesday, July 29, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk
David Beckham received backlash from neighbours over plans to build a kidney-shaped lake on the family's £6million Cotswolds estate – but it seems he will get the OK after backing by a local wildlife expert
David Beckham, 45, looks set to win a battle to build a kidney-shaped lake on his family's £6million Cotswolds estate.
He and wife Victoria Beckham, 46, reportedly upset locals when they unveiled their new landscaping plans, but have been given the thumbs up by a local wildlife expert.
Locals called the planned lake "ugly", "monstrous" and "out of keeping" with the affluent area.
There were also concerns that the lake would damage the local wildlife by taking away feeding and nesting areas.
But now, according to reports, the local council's assistant biodiversity officer Esther Frizell-Armitage thinks it will actually be a benefit.
David and Victoria Beckham look set to be given the go-ahead for their new lake on their estate (Image: davidbeckham/Instagram)
Those working on the project have been instructed that they must build escape routes for any little animals that get stuck in the lake hole before it's filled up with water.
According to The Sun, she has told planners: "Landscaping, I understand ,that part of the area to be lost through the proposal comprises a newly created wildflower meadow area.
The local wildlife council member has said the new lake will actually promote more biodiversity (Image: victoriabeckham/Instagram)
"Although this holds botanic interest (including species such as red campion and salad burnet), I consider the new scheme to provide enhancement measures that will contribute towards the biodiversity net gain on site."
Esther went on to say that the proposals will bring more native species to the hedgerows, create a pond for wildlife and will allow the wildflower meadow to stay intact, while there will also be an area for a hay meadow.
David has been spending lockdown on his £6million Cotswolds estate with his family (Image: davidbeckham/Instagram)
She said: "These features will enhance the ecological value of the site and also provided foraging, refugia and breeding opportunities for species such as bats (where there are records on site), birds, reptiles and amphibians in the long-term."
However further reports are needed to check whether there are rare species of newts breeding in the area before West Oxfordshire District Council will decide whether to grant permission.
The proposed lake will have a depth of four metres and hold almost 3000m-squared of water.
The Beckhams have been spending their lockdown in their stunning Cotswolds estate, which has already had a number of alterations.
It was converted from a Grade II-listed farmhouse to a huge sprawling set of buildings, while Chelsea Flower Show winner Marcus Barnett also designed a "fairytale garden".
On top of that, they built a £30,000 tennis court for son Romeo, 17, which has since been converted into a five-a-side football pitch.
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