Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell Face Fresh Backlash Over Controversial Pizza Oven Planning Dispute
Former Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner and his wife, pop star Geri Halliwell, have once again found themselves at the centre of a heated neighbourhood dispute after resubmitting a planning application for a controversial pizza oven and outdoor structure at their countryside mansion.
The high-profile couple, who live in a sprawling £9.2 million property in Marston St Lawrence near Banbury, have been accused by neighbours of “trolling” locals by pressing ahead with their plans despite earlier objections and a previous refusal by council officials.
The row centres on an oak-framed pergola, gazebo, and partially built pizza oven that were constructed without full planning approval. Local residents and heritage officials have argued that the structures negatively impact the surrounding area — particularly views of a nearby Grade I-listed historic church, one of the most protected categories of buildings in the UK.
West Northamptonshire Council previously rejected the couple’s application, with planning officer Forrest Childs ruling that the development was unauthorised and inappropriate given its sensitive location. Concerns were raised that the outdoor structures, though described as well built, were clearly visible from key vantage points and detracted from the historic character of the church and its setting.
Last year, reports suggested that Horner and Halliwell could be forced to dismantle the partially completed pizza oven and summer house following the refusal. Several neighbours formally objected, arguing that the development disrupted the rural landscape and violated planning regulations designed to protect heritage sites.
However, according to council planning records, the couple resubmitted a new application for full planning permission on January 12, reigniting tensions within the local community.
The decision to reapply has reportedly angered some neighbours, who see the move as dismissive and provocative. One local resident accused the couple of showing a “complete disregard” for planning rules and community concerns, claiming they were “rubbing our noses in it” by decorating the unfinished structure with fairy lights.
The neighbour’s complaint highlights growing frustration among residents, many of whom believe the celebrity status of Horner and Halliwell may be encouraging them to push boundaries that ordinary homeowners would not dare cross.
A spokesperson from West Northamptonshire Council’s heritage team reiterated the authority’s concerns in response to the renewed application. They explained that the pergola lies directly in the line of sight of the Grade I-listed church when viewed from the eastern garden area of the Horner-Halliwell property.
“While the structure is well constructed, its position detracts from important views of the church and therefore harms the setting of a nationally significant heritage asset,” the spokesperson said.
Additional concerns were raised about the pizza oven’s flue, which is reportedly visible above a boundary wall. Heritage officials stated that, when considered alongside the pergola, the cumulative visual impact of the development is harmful and undermines the historic character of the area.
Grade I-listed buildings are afforded the highest level of protection under UK planning law, with strict guidelines in place to preserve their surroundings as well as the structures themselves. Any development that affects their setting is subject to intense scrutiny, regardless of scale or quality.
Despite the criticism, Horner and Halliwell appear determined to pursue approval, suggesting they believe adjustments or additional justification could sway planners in their favour. Neither Horner nor Halliwell has publicly commented on the renewed application or the accusations made by neighbours.
The dispute adds another unusual chapter to Horner’s post-Red Bull life, with the former F1 boss recently making headlines for reasons far removed from the racetrack. For Halliwell, once known globally as “Ginger Spice,” the row represents an unexpected clash between celebrity living and rural community expectations.
Council officials are now reviewing the latest submission, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, tensions remain high in Marston St Lawrence, where residents wait to see whether the controversial pizza oven will finally receive approval — or whether the couple will once again be told to tear it down.
As one neighbour reportedly put it, the issue is no longer just about a pizza oven, but about respect for shared heritage, local rules, and the community that surrounds one of Britain’s most historic landmarks.
