Dave's gone Green! Keen gardener Cameron wins battle to build huge vegetable patch at his £2million Cotswolds home - after 'tacky Benidorm' swimming pool row

Published: 14:57, 28 June 2026 | Updated: 14:57, 28 June 2026 David Cameron has won approval for a vast vegetable garden at his £2million Cotswolds estate - weeks after overcoming his wealthy neighbours' 'tacky Benidorm' objections to building an outdoor swimming pool. The former prime minister, 59, and his wife Samantha, 55, hope to transform an underused corner of their sprawling Oxfordshire estate into a landscaped kitchen garden. Planning documents submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council revealed that the couple have become increasingly enthusiastic gardeners since Lord Cameron stepped back from frontline politics. Their representatives said in planning papers: 'The applicants have become more green-fingered and would like a dedicated area for a greenhouse, garden tools and garden machinery.' The scheme will see ten raised beds, a greenhouse and new outbuildings built at the couple's residence near Chipping Norton - where Lord Cameron recently won a bitter six-year battle to build an outdoor swimming pool. He was forced to withdraw plans in 2020 to install a pool after well-heeled neighbours complained it could lead to noisy late-night parties. One resident accused the former Tory leader of attempting to turn his garden into a 'tacky Benidorm resort'. Lord Cameron's gardening plans, however, sailed through. Former PM David Cameron and his wife Samantha hope to transform an underused corner of their sprawling Oxfordshire estate into a landscaped kitchen garden The scheme will see ten raised beds, a greenhouse and new outbuildings built at the couple's residence near Chipping Norton Former PM David Cameron has won a six-year battle for a swimming pool after neighbours accused him of creating a 'tacky Benidorm' resort in his garden There were no objections to a planning application to build brick and oak-beamed planters, a new greenhouse and outbuildings to store tools, and a potting shed and workshop. Lord Cameron's representatives had urged West Oxfordshire planners to reach a swift decision, arguing that the development would make practical use of a secluded section of the garden. In documents supporting the application, they said: 'The applicants wish to enhance an under-utilised area of the garden for the purposes of gardening and growing vegetables, all as part of a wider enjoyment of their house and garden. 'The proposals create a coherent and discreet arrangement of new outbuildings, a relocated greenhouse and a vegetable garden that together enhance the practical use and enjoyment of the applicants' property. 'The outbuildings are modest in scale, constructed from sympathetic materials and carefully sited behind existing structures and woodland to ensure minimal visual impact on the wider village and conservation setting. 'Overall, the scheme makes sensitive and efficient use of an under-utilised part of the garden while strengthening the property's character and amenity.' The existing greenhouse will be demolished and replaced with a new structure. The couple's current storage buildings are said to be too cramped to accommodate all the equipment needed to maintain the estate. Notoriously officious West Oxfordshire District Council - as featured in the various planning battles of Lord Cameron's near-neighbour Jeremy Clarkson on Clarkson's Farm - attached several conditions to the approval. Lord Cameron must use specific materials to remain in keeping with his rural surroundings, while the work must begin in a certain timeframe. His agents added: 'The proposed development has been carefully considered and designed to respect the constraints of the site. 'It would provide enhanced facilities for the applicant to maintain their land and grow their own food and plants whilst preserving the historic value of the site and not harming the National Landscape or the amenity of neighbours.' The victory comes only weeks after Lord Cameron secured permission to build his long-desired outdoor pool. His original pool application was withdrawn after neighbours raised complaints. Despite one neighbour complaining of the potential for 'rowdy' pool parties, planners approved the scheme at the Oxfordshire home Planning documents submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council revealed that the couple have become increasingly enthusiastic gardeners since Lord Cameron stepped back from frontline politics One said at the time: 'As a local I feel I must object to this plan. Swimming pools are totally out of keeping with the local area. 'This plan will cause noise from machinery to heat and filter the pool, light pollution and, most importantly, noise pollution from rowdy pool parties going on into the night. 'Why can't people just enjoy the character and charm of the Cotswolds without trying to turn their gardens into some kind of tacky Benidorm resort?' Lord Cameron revived the proposals in December, submitting a redesigned scheme intended to address their concerns. The approved pool will measure 13.7 metres by four metres and will be up to 1.6 metres deep. Despite another objection warning of possible 'rowdy' gatherings, planning officials ruled that the domestic pool would not cause unacceptable disruption. Planning officer Emile Baldauf-Clark said: 'While the introduction of a swimming pool may lead to a marginal increase in activity within the garden, the pool is positioned a substantial distance from neighbouring dwellings and is contained within a large semi-rural/residential plot. 'Given this level of separation, the presence of established landscaping, and the domestic nature of the proposal, any additional noise is expected to be low level, infrequent and typical of an established residential use. 'It would not be at a level that would materially harm the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring properties. 'The concerns raised regarding potential noise from gatherings have been considered, however the planning system cannot assume unreasonable behaviour.' A separate application for an sunroom at Cameron 's property was also approved this month. The 'modest' sunroom will be constructed at the rear of the house, providing what the Camerons' representatives described as better connections to the garden. Locals feared the addition of a pool to his Oxfordshire cottage could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there A proposed drawing of the swimming pool which was submitted to the council for approval Lord and Lady Cameron bought the detached family home in 2001 for £788,000. It is now estimated to be worth around £2million. The couple are among the most prominent members of the so-called Chipping Norton set, whose wealthy and influential residents have included Jeremy Clarkson, Elisabeth Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks. Lord Cameron served as prime minister from 2010 until 2016 and returned to government as foreign secretary in 2023 after being appointed to the House of Lords. He had a wool-insulated shepherd's hut built on the property in 2017, which he used as a base to write his memoirs. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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