David and Victoria Beckham Welcome Australian Entrepreneurs as Neighbours

David and Victoria Beckham have new neighbours after a plot of land adjacent to their Cotswolds estate was sold for £16.5 million to Australian entrepreneur Blair Raymond James and his wife Melanie Adams. The Beckhams have resided at their mansion near Chipping Norton since 2016, purchasing it for £6,150,000. Their property is located close to the exclusive Soho Farmhouse, a popular retreat for celebrities including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Recent land registry documents confirm that the 15-acre parcel of land was acquired by James on September 13, 2024. James, originally from a small town near Melbourne, co-founded the successful self-tanning brand Bondi Sands, which was sold for approximately $450 million AUD in 2023. The brand has garnered a celebrity following, with prominent figures such as Kylie Jenner and Olivia Attwood among its fans.

James’s journey to success has not been without challenges. By the age of 23, he had lost both parents and faced significant financial struggles. Despite these hardships, he has built a thriving business portfolio, which includes his latest venture, Growth Bomb, a hair care company he launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. In just five years, the company has sold over one million products.

Drone images taken recently indicate that no construction has begun on the newly acquired land, and plans for its future use remain unclear. An insider commented on the proximity to the Beckhams, stating, “It’s just over 15 acres, including a fallen-down walled garden, but directly next to Chez Beckham. Can you put a price on having neighbours like that?”

The land registry documents also reveal details of the property’s history. The land, known as Upper Park Farm, was previously transferred from the directors of Great Tew Properties Limited to the Beckhams when they purchased their home. The transfer included restrictive covenants that have since been amended. In 2021, ownership of the land now owned by James and Adams passed from Great Tew Properties Limited to Imperium Trust Company.

The Beckhams’ residence is set on two acres and features extensive renovations, including a glasshouse, a large pond, an underground wine cellar, and an Astroturf football pitch. The property, which has a total area of 14,270 square feet and has functioned as a farm since 1820, includes nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, a movie theatre, and a gym. The outdoor space boasts a pool measuring 12.5 by 7.5 metres, along with a pergola-covered seating area.

The revelation of the Beckhams’ new neighbours comes amid ongoing planning disputes regarding a proposed access road to their estate. Representatives for the Beckhams have indicated that the road is intended to minimize traffic to the nearby Soho Farmhouse. However, at least one neighbour has filed an objection, and a decision on the matter is pending from West Oxfordshire District Council.

As the Beckhams navigate their new residential landscape, the arrival of successful entrepreneurs next door adds an intriguing dimension to life in the Cotswolds.