DANNY Drinkwater’s plans for a change of formation at his dream £5million new build mansion have been ruled “on-side” by planners.
The former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder, 35, wants to demolish a former World War II munitions shed to make way for a seven-bed superhome – complete with a club room.
Danny Drinkwater on a building site[/caption]
A digital design for the new home included in the planning documents[/caption]
Drinkwater’s proposed new home is close to Alderley Edge – where many footballers live[/caption]
It comes after the now-retired star was forced to alter previous plans and apply for a special licence from Natural England after a survey revealed the area is a popular roosting spot for endangered bats.
Planners at the local council had slammed the “inappropriate” and “disproportionate” development on green belt land, but ultimately the changes were considered sufficient.
Drinkwater’s plans incorporate a special 19x13ft “bat loft” to allow access to the furry mammals.
The luxury Georgian-style pad will boast a swimming pool, gym and cinema in the footballers’ haven of Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
It will also feature a grand entrance hall, orangery, drawing room, boot room, lift and no less than seven bedrooms, each with their own dressing room.
Drinkwater was first granted planning permission for the stately pile four YEARS ago but building work has still not started.
And now he wants to move the proposed 36ftx13 indoor pool, gym and four-bay garage into two separate outbuildings.
In a statement, his planning agent said: “Since the granting of permission and the initial implementation of the proposals, the applicant wishes to alter the design as consented to suit the preferences and requirements of his family in the creation of a family home.
“The purpose of the revised design is to reduce the bulk of the main house elevation and garage so that the home may sit more freely in the landscape and to improve openness in the green belt setting.”
Original plans for the new build included a snug, wine store, morning and evening terrace, library and office but these have now been subbed off.
The proposed site is a seven-acre farm that was used by the military with a number of munitions and railway sheds served by a now disused railway.
Drinkwater won the Premier League with Leicester in 2016 but made just 23 appearances for Chelsea in four years including several unsuccessful loan spells.
He hung up his boots two years ago after leaving Reading at the end of the 2021-22 season and is now a property developer.
Last year, he hit back at a troll after posting a picture of himself “grafting” on a building site.
He got plenty of derisory comments including one that read: “F***ing hell Danny, you’ve hit rock bottom.”
But he hit back, saying: “Some of these messages, behave. I love being on site grafting! It’s a choice.”
Officials at Cheshire East Council gave his amended new build plans the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours.
They said: “It is accepted that the proposed scheme provides a more sustainable home on the site whilst having a measurably smaller and more visually appropriate impact on the country setting.”
The Sun has contacted Drinkwater for comment.
What is special about Alderley Edge?
Alderley Edge is part of Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’ – an affluent area of small towns and villages which also includes Wilmslow and Prestbury.
Set in glorious countryside, the area is known for its expensive homes, high-end shops and upmarket bars and restaurants.
It is popular with wealthy Premier League footballers and celebrities, and has earned a reputation as a millionaire’s playground and a place to see and be seen.
London Road, running through the centre of Alderley Edge, is frequently lined with millions of pounds worth of Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bugattis as well as luxury 4X4s and other cars.
The gated mansions offer peace and privacy and current residents on one particular road include Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and his teammate Alexis Mac Allister.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once lived there as well as ex-United keeper Sergio Romero.
And Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is also thought to own a property on the road.
The building will replace a WW2 munitions shed[/caption]
The home’s proposed floor plan[/caption]
Drinkwater playing for Chelsea in 2021[/caption]
Alderley Edge is part of Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’[/caption]
