David Beckham could have to tear down his lavish tree house amid fury from locals over its construction before full planning permission was given, MailOnline can reveal.
The former England star’s fashion designer wife Victoria posted a picture of the slate-roofed wooden structure to her 18million followers on Instagram this week.
She showed the tree house decorated in Christmas lights, next to the message: ‘Kisses from the country X’.
But the application for the outbuilding is still deemed ‘under consideration’ by the local council, who are waiting for nearby resident to comment on a planning application over the reclaimed timber hut.
The Beckhams have built this ‘tree house’ behind their country home, but neighbours are furious over the structure not having yet given full planning permission
The tree house is the latest addition to the Beckhams sprawling estate in the Cotswolds
Victoria posted a picture of the tree house on her Instagram page with the caption: ‘Kisses from the country x’
The garden playhouse was added to the luxurious redevelopment of the Beckhams’ £6.15million six-bedroom Cotswolds home, with the plans appearing on the council’s website last week.
But the fact that the tree house has been built before nearby residents were given a chance to comment has angered some locals in the area.
David Holland wrote to authorities saying: ‘The tree house is already built and in it’s final position. It was put up the week commencing the 4th December.
‘I feel it makes a mockery of the planning procedure and a waste of time asking for comment on a structure that is already completed.
‘This seem to be the norm for [the Beckham house]. Normal folk would be made to take this down and apply for permission using the proper procedure.’
The Beckham’s developers have applied for the tree house as a tweak to existing planning permission for the barn, meaning it is likely to be granted.
Council officials are now due to visit the Beckham’s estate to determine whether the couple have breached planning rules by constructing the outbuilding
But plans for the structure still appear on the local council’s website as ‘under consideration’
The plans have been tacked on to a number of applications made by the Beckhams during the development of the former barns into a sprawling home
A source at the local council said the footballer has always played by the rules when developing the former barn building, but that an inspection would be carried out in the coming weeks to determine the situation with the tree house.
Victoria has been dropping big hints that she is spending weekends at the new Cotswolds pad, sharing pictures of an open fire with four Christmas stockings and writing: ‘Loving the country’
The Beckham’s architect has asked the council for permission to build the tree house, 4.275m high and 4.5m x 4.5m in length and width on their new country pile. The application states it would cover a ground space of 15.6 squared metres.
According to the website, The Design and Access statement given to the council states: ‘The application is for a modest Tree House on land that has planning permission for residential use.
‘It is to be constructed in reclaimed timber with a timber shingle roof and is intended for use by the owners’ children as a play area and as such its use will be incidental to enjoyment of the main dwelling house.’
Victoria has posted pictures online telling followers of her new-found ‘countrylife’
Since purchasing three disused listed barns for just over £6.15million in December from landowner Nicholas Johnston, an Old Etonian friend of Cameron, the Beckhams have spent a fortune on renovations and enlisted architect Michael to turn it into one family home.
They have hired Chelsea Flower Show winning gardener and landscape designer Marcus Barnett to transform the space surrounding the property.
The Beckham’s representative declined to comment on the latest row.