Former footballer Gary Neville's planning permission application for a lavish eco-home in Bolton was rejected in 2012, but that was only the start of the problems for the ex-Manchester United right-back.
The 50-year-old football pundit first applied for planning permission in the Greater Manchester area in 2010 and submitted plans to build a massive eco-friendly mansion in a petal shape which resembled the famous hilly bunker featured on the beloved children's show, The Teletubbies.
Costing the sports star a cool £8 million, the carbon-neutral home was to be erected on land just off Harry Fold Farm, close to his childhood town of Bury.
The home was intended to be built underground with glass-panelled roofs protruding from the grass, arranged in multiple tear-drop shapes that formed a circle, according to plans obtained by the BBC.
Inside the million-pound bunker
While the home was supposed to be environmentally friendly and built on greenbelt land, it wasn't going to compromise on being luxurious in nature. Should Gary's plans have been approved, his new home would have featured a 130ft wind turbine and swimming pool.
The father-of-two drew up flat-lay plans that included five bedrooms, a children's play area, four bathrooms, a garage and a kitchen that would act as the property's centre piece.
Gary's grand idea was submitted to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles over a decade ago, and following lengthy arguments with residents, planning permission was granted on the grounds that he abandon his 130ft wind turbine.
At the time, in 2011, he was reported to have said: "I am obviously delighted that the Secretary of State has decided to allow Bolton Council to issue its decision to grant our planning permission.
"After sensibly allowing the dust to settle, my professional team will continue their detailed design work, and I can then look forward to building this exciting home."
© PA Images via Getty ImagesPremature celebrations
Despite an early win, Gary and his wife Emma Hadfield never did build their 8,000 square-foot dream home. Due to mounting pressure from local opposition and the distraction of other business ventures, including the Stock Exchange Hotel and Hotel Football, the plot of land sat empty for years until it was put on the market in 2017 for £650,000.
Struggling to sell, he finally rid himself of the vacant lot in 2020 and let his dreams and his eco-plans go for a price tag of £500,000.
© Getty ImagesAccording to The Mirror, the ad marketed the plot as "a substantial development opportunity to create a distinct family home, nestling in a sought-after rural setting, enjoying privacy and seclusion".
