Neighbour complains Beckhams’ plans for pond lighting will be like ‘Blackpool’

A neighbour of Sir David and Victoria Beckham has complained about plans to install pond lighting at their Cotswolds home, comparing it to Blackpool illuminations.

Sir David and Lady Beckham plan to install the festooned lighting around the pond at their home in Great Tew near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, but those living nearby have raised concerns about the impact it will have on light pollution, wildlife and the surrounding area.

The neighbour, James Worthington, said in a comment on the Beckhams’ application: “If I am not amiss, this pond ‘lake’ is in the countryside in a rural setting with field etc, around Maplewood Barn.

“Yet what is proposed is more akin to Miami or Florida not Great Tew. Festooned lighting hanging along a ‘proposed bridge’… spotlights, is this really Great Tew or have I mistaken this area for Blackpool?”

He went on to ask where planned “wall lights” would be positioned, and added: “If the applicants want to live in suburbia, then why come to an area like Great Tew? What about the poor foraging and commuting bats?”

Mr Worthington went on to say that the lights could become “a source of annoyance to people” and “harmful to wildlife” and added that he felt they could “undermine enjoyment of the countryside or the night sky”.

It comes amid Sir David and Lady Beckham’s feud with son Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, who accused his parents of “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped”, in a social media post in January.

He also alleged that his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, had been “disrespected” by his family.

Social posts saw Brooklyn add that he did not want to “reconcile” with his family, having accused former England footballer Sir David and ex-Spice Girls singer Lady Beckham of prioritising “Brand Beckham” over all else and controlling narratives in the press.

DJ Fat Tony, who performed at the wedding, claimed on ITV’s This Morning earlier this year that the feud began when American singer Marc Anthony had asked for “the most beautiful woman in the room” to come to the stage at the wedding.

Guests were said to have believed it was for Nicola’s first dance with Brooklyn, but instead Lady Beckham was called to the stage and asked to dance with her son, prompting Nicola to leave the room in tears.

However, Anthony told US outlet The Hollywood Reporter that the way that the feud had come out was “hardly the truth”.

Despite the feud, Sir David and Lady Beckham took to Instagram to wish Brooklyn a happy birthday in March.

Sir David and Lady Beckham have been contacted for comment.