Beyoncé and Jay-Z buying 58 acres of UK land to build mansion

By Filipa Gaspar

Pictures show the derelict "shack" and algae-filled lake Beyoncé and Jay-Z are buying to build their new home in the Cotswolds.

The duo is said to be in the final stages of purchasing 58 acres of land on the outskirts of Wigginton after receiving planning permission for a "spectacular rural estate."

Drone images of the land show sprawling fields - with just one ramshackle building and a large lake filled with algae.

The village has no pub or shops - but does have two churches and a community book swap shop.

Today locals said there weren't too aware of her work and expressed their concerns over the potential increase of house prices.

Others said they didn't want limousines or paparazzi "swarming" around the village.

David, 71, retired, has lived here for over 60 years.

He said: “It’s a big project to do - to build a house over a lake. It’s a man-made lake. She is going to make a house over the lake - nice idea!

“It’s very romantic and pretty.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like really. People do buy houses around here and the prices are going up and it could even be more so.

“I don’t know much about Beyoncé. I think everybody has been looking her up to see what she’s like.

“I don’t think it will make much difference because we have already got David Beckham, Claudia Winkleman, all the people are here. It’s just another one isn’t it?''

One local who has moved here 12 years ago said: "I couldn't believe they bought what it is - it is a shack.

''It is such a lovely quiet village you don't want to have a lot of black limousines going up and down the road because they are going to have a lot of police escorts.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z buying 58 acres of UK land to build mansion

''My grandson will think this is wonderful that they are coming here.

''The houses will go up in price hugely and it is already a very expensive area to live because of where it is in Cotswolds.

''I think it will change the village. I have already got texts from lots of people saying "oh god you've got new neighbors."

"She probably would be coming into the village faith but she wouldn't. I don't know why the bought it.

''She wants to be secluded but she still going to get us dog walkers walking through.''

Another woman who moved in recently with her family said she hopes the village won't be "swarming with helicopters and paparazzi".

She said she used to live in LA and had move to Wigginton for a "calmer life."

"I think it's quite funny that we left LA because it was just a world that revolved around the entertainment industry and celebrity and now it's here as well," she said.

"I welcome everybody. I do think this area lacks diversity so I am all for it.

"I love Beyoncé, she is amazing."

When asked why she thinks the A-list couple were moving to the area she said: "It is getting so much media coverage and it is such a great place to live. I also think it is because of the private members clubs.

"It is like the English dream isn't it? But they are not going to Banbury to Marks and Spencer.

"I know that the villagers are all excited in case she comes to the faith but I doubt that will happen."

One local who has moved here over 20 years ago said: "It was a nice quiet area and now all of a sudden it's full of celebrities - odd.

"I don't really know much about her and her music."

Designs show how the couple are hoping to build a mansion with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms overlooking a lake in the sleepy Oxfordshire hotspot.

Wigginton previously had a public house, The White Swan, that shut down during lockdown and has not been re-opened since.