Sir Alex wins planning battle with neighbours

Above: Sir Alex Ferguson’s next door neighbours, Peter and Josephine Wilson, submitted proposals to demolish their existing two storey home (pictured) and replace it with a property more than twice the size

Sir Alex Ferguson has won a battle to stop a three-storey mansion being built next door to his home.

The former Manchester United manager objected ‘in the strongest terms’ to plans for the new property which he claimed was too big and poorly designed.

His next door neighbours Peter and Josephine Wilson submitted proposals to demolish their existing two storey home and replace it with a property more than twice the size. They are planning on selling the home, and interested parties have indicated they want permission for the plans before making the purchase.

The proposal was for a six bedroom, 10,000 sq ft home to replace the current five bedroom, 3,500sqft one. However, the application for planning permission has now been refused by Cheshire East Council.

Ferguson lodged an objection which said the property would be too near to his land and out of keeping with other homes on the street.

A statement submitted by Ferguson’s solicitors to the local authority stated: ‘Our client objects in the strongest terms to the grant of planning permission.

‘The proposed scale of the new dwelling house and, in particular, the addition of a third storey is inappropriate and out of keeping with the prevailing scale and pattern of development in the locality.’

‘The proposed development would entail a significant reduction in the established separation distance between the dwelling house on the site and the side boundaries of the plot, to as little as one metre. This is out of keeping with the prevailing layout of plots in the area which feature more generous separation distances of four to thirty metres.’

‘This generous separation distance and the open space to the sides of the buildings is a key element of the character of this designated low density housing area.’

It added: ‘The application represents a poor design, over development of the site. The application should be refused accordingly.’

Ferguson’s representation also pointed out the street is prone to surface water flooding during construction projects.

In a submission to the council, the Wilsons’ planning agents said it was ‘common’ for new build replacement dwellings to be constructed in the area.

They added: ‘The owners are selling their house. There has been interest in the property with regards to demolishing the existing property and rebuilding a larger dwelling’

‘Sizes of around 10,000 sq ft (9292 sq m) are the median size discussed by interested parties

‘These parties require the security of knowing that a larger dwelling of this size will have planning permission.’

Planning officials refused the application because they said the house would be ‘excessively prominent’ and out of keeping with other homes in the area.

In a written report, they said: ‘The proposed development would be excessively prominent within the street scene and would not be in keeping with the scale of other buildings in the locality by reason of its combined height, width and resultant mass.

‘The proposed development would result in a dwelling house with the appearance of providing three habitable storeys in an area with an established character of two storey properties. Accordingly, the scale of development is inappropriate.’

Glasgow-born Ferguson retired from the Old Trafford hot seat in May, 2013, after 27 years at the helm.

He had emergency treatment on a brain haemorrhage in May, 2018, and spent several days in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital, near Manchester.

Earlier this year he raised £400,000 for the NHS as a thank you for the care he received during his health scare.