Planning permission: The house Gary wants to build

SOCCER - ALL IN THE GAME: THERE WAS excellent news for Gary Neville last week when the planning committee of Bolton’s Council…

SOCCER - ALL IN THE GAME:THERE WAS excellent news for Gary Neville last week when the planning committee of Bolton's Council supported his plans to build a €9 million futuristic home on moorland near the border with Bury.

Neville was gutted when his application was turned down last year because of the committee’s concerns about the height of a wind turbine he had included in the plans, and that the house would be built on greenbelt land.

But he agreed to lower the height of the turbine to a mere 100ft, resubmitted his plans, and bingo – he just needs government now to give the go-ahead and he’s up and building.

According to the Manchester Evening News, “the house will take the shape of a flower with rooms like petals flowing from the centre. The majority of the home will be underground so moorland will be able to flow across its roofs.”

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“Disgusting,” shouted protesters when the decision was announced at Bolton Town Hall, and if you saw the plans for the thing you might be inclined to agree. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and the gang would love it, though, because it bears an uncanny resemblance to their Teletubbies home.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times