David Beckham has sparked controversy by placing beehives along the boundary of his £12 million country mansion in Oxfordshire, allegedly as a deterrent to curious onlookers.
Locals are concerned about potential risks of swarming bees near a public footpath, with new hives installed just 500 yards from Beckham’s existing nine hives, which he has maintained since 2021.
The former England football captain, known for his tenure at Manchester United and Real Madrid, developed an interest in beekeeping during lockdown.
Recently, he mentioned exchanging “beekeeping tips” with King Charles during a visit to the monarch’s Highgrove residence, underscoring his enthusiasm for the hobby.
Critics argue that the placement of the hives appears intended to dissuade foot traffic, despite ample space available in adjacent fields.
This isn’t the first time he has clashed with neighbors since moving into the area with his wife Victoria and their four children in 2017.
Previously, the couple faced accusations of attempting to construct a road over a public footpath for a greenhouse and drew scrutiny for plans to create a large lake on their property.
The Beckhams have reportedly been frustrated by the frequent attention from locals, ramblers, and guests from the nearby Soho Farmhouse.
They’ve invested heavily in landscaping and tree planting to obscure views from public paths to their Grade II listed barn conversion, which boasts amenities such as a sauna, safari tent, and football pitch.
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