Agent acting for the landowners has fervently denied the rumours about David and Victoria Beckham being interested in the site which are currently flying around the village.

STRONG rumours that the Beckham family have shown an interest in buying a former golf course in Wheathampstead seem to have been dispelled – but it is still thought they are looking to move to the village.

As revealed by the Herts Advertiser website last week, talk that the celebrity couple have been eyeing up Lamerwood Golf Club has been rife in the village following reports that they are keen to move to the area because their Sawbridgeworth home – dubbed Beckingham Palace – is no longer private enough for the family.

There is a substantial clubhouse on the site and last year the council gave permission for it to be converted into a home and the land turned back into agricultural/forest use.

There is speculation that footballing hero David and his former Spice Girl wife might be interested in building their own dream home on the site.

But Wheathampstead district councillor Annie Brewster has spoken to the agent acting for the landowners who fervently denied the claims .

However, she has heard on good authority that the Beckhams have enlisted London estate agents to hunt out a property in or around the village.

And Victoria Beckham, who now has a highly successful career as a fashion designer, has dined at the Hillside Restaurant.

A recent article in Star Magazine quoted an “insider” who alleged that the couple were weeks into the process of buying a multimillion pound converted farmhouse on the outskirts of the village and Cllr Brewster thinks villagers could have put two and two together as there is work going on at the Lamerwood golf course – including fencing being erected on its boundaries – at present.

She continued: “I’ve spoken to the land agent Edward Clack who said that there is not a shred of truth in the rumour and he said the new owners have very ambitious and complex plans to upgrade the landscaping around the golf course. I did however always think it was unlikely because there is a footpath so near to the house.

“But I still think that coming to Wheathampstead would be a really good move for them. It will be so much better for them – it is near Luton Airport, two motorways and two railways, and I think it would be a wonderful place to bring up their children.”

District councillor Chris Oxley said: “I feel that it’s highly unlikely that the Beckhams would be interested in the former golf club at Lamer. They have always said one of the reasons they want to move is because of the lack of privacy – they are currently surrounded by public footpaths and the golf club course is criss-crossed with highly used footpaths.

“However, I feel confident that there is a lot of truth behind the rumour and this is understandable with a village as attractive as Wheathampstead and with all the facilities that are available. And there are a number of highly prestigious properties within the parish that I can see as being potentially attractive to the Beckham family.”

He added: “I’m sure that the whole village will welcome them if they feel they do want to come to the village. We look forward to them joining the community.”

The owner of florists Fuschia Pink, Kirsty O’Neil said various rumours surrounding the Beckham’s interest in Lamerwood golf club and other properties in the surrounding area had been going around the village for weeks but she said nobody is any closer to establishing any facts.

She said: “If the rumours are true, for the economy of Wheathampstead as a village it will be fantastic. It will bring more people into the village and give us some good status.”

The celebrity couple, who are expecting a daughter in the summer, are expected to relocate to England when former Manchester United footballer David’s contract with LA Galaxy expires at the end of the year.

It is also believed that David and Victoria have shown an interest in sending their three boys – Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz – to Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys School near Radlett which Matt Lucas, Sacha Baron Cohen and David Baddiel all attended.