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| Kingfisher - one of the waterbirds the couple are hoping to attract |
CELEBRITY couple David and Victoria Beckham are creating a wildlife haven in the grounds of their Oxfordshire home in the hope of providing valuable habitat for a wide range of species from songbirds to waterfowl.
Work is already underway on excavation of a small lake at the property - in a village near Chipping Norton - which is approximately 800 metres from the River Dorn, a major tributary of the River Thames.
It is on a migration route for many birds, acting as a corridor for them when foraging for food.
Says a spokesperson for the couple: "David and Victoria are keen that the pond should become part of the local waterscape and help enrich the biodiversity of the catchment area by providing an undisturbed waterbody."
A document seen by The Wryneck outlines some of the details of the scheme as follows: "The grass around the lake will be sown with a wildflower mix of local provenance.
"The sides of the lake will be planted with margin-loving water plants and native, non-invasive pond weed will be used in the lake."
It continues: "Spoil from the excavation of the lake will be used to create bunds which will be planted with a high number of native trees as well as scrub and hedge plants for nesting birds.
"The varying aspect and topography of the bunds will also allow for increased flora and insect life."
The location of the lake is at the lowest level of the site, so it will both help to retain storm water and also create a new link in the local water network for the benefit of a wide range of species including kingfishers, wagtails, unusual ducks, possibly grebes, plus moorhens, coot, perhaps water rails, herons and passing waders such as little ringed plovers plus common, green or wood sandpipers.
Details have also been released of the trees and hedgerows to be planted either on the bunds or nearby.
"There will be a native and evergreen shrub selection of high nectar, pollen, berry and nuts offering, such as hazel, hawthorn, wild rose, hornbeam and blackthorn sloe.
"Trees will be arranged in organically shaped groups, creating a corridor of trees, linked by uncut shrubs, with some mature trees standing among the shrubs, as a point of access to the tree canopy.
"Larger trees will be spaced to avoid overly shading the under-storey while at the same time supporting branches to touch, creating linked canopies, a key element for small creatures crossing at canopy level.
"Species to be planted on the bund include hazel, oak, honeysuckle, bramble, sycamore, wayfaring tree, yew, hornbeam, birch, hawthorn, crab apple, wild cherry and sorbus."
Planning permission for the lake was granted earlier this year, but a further application to enlarge it - and incorporate an island - is under consideration by planners at West Oxfordshire District Council.
This application has generated a protest from a neighbour, Sue Jones, who says: " I must object in the strongest terms to this new proposal.
"I feel that his plan to enlarge the lake could increase considerably the chances of flooding in the area.
"Also, the lake looks just too large for the area it sits in, and it is out of keeping.
"What is planned next? Motor boats zooming up and down and shattering the peace?
"It is just not on and should not be allowed."
The council's assistant biodiversity officer, Esther Frizell-Armitage, says she has no objection in principle to the lake's enlargement but she has reserved making any recommendation pending clarification on whether boats will be used on the water.
Esther Frizell-Armitage - no objection in principle
Says she: "If so, the use of boats will need to be restricted to ensure disturbance to biodiversity (such as birds) is minimised."
The Beckhams - who have three sons and one daughter - should know early in the New Year if their application to enlarge the lake has been successful.
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| The lake and planting scheme for the Beckhams' family home |
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