Fowl! Birds may ruin Liverpool ace’s dream
HE HAS become accustomed to triumphing on the football field – but Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is facing some unexpected opposition when it comes to building a £3million mansion.
The England midfielder’s plans for a lavish seven-bedroom home in Cheshire’s exclusive ‘golden triangle’ could be brought down – by geese.
Bosses at nearby Manchester Airport fear a pond he wants installed in its grounds could attract birds, also including gulls and waterfowl, that could fly into engines, endangering aircraft.
Or in the dry jargon of a submission to council planners: ‘This proposal does have the potential to conflict with the safeguarding criteria for bird strike avoidance.’
They want Henderson – who looks set to lead Liverpool to league victory for the first time in 30 years once the season resumes – to adhere to a safety plan before giving his mansion the go-ahead.
It would mean he must promise not feed the birds, create an island, or expand the size of the pond. And should the feature still become a concern ‘measures will need to be taken’ against he birds, the airport says,
The proposed house, near Knutsford, will include a swimming pool and leisure complex, whose roof will feature vegetation to attract wildlife and solar panels to provide power. Plans also include a bat roost.
Planning chiefs are expected to decide within weeks on whether 29-year-old Henderson can demolish two existing homes to create his dream house – but the parish council has lodged an objection, saying the new structure is out of keeping with the area and looks more like a hotel.
Drawings submitted by architect Wake Morley reveal the main home has a cinema room and a ‘trophy corridor’ between the kitchen and living room.
Representatives for Henderson did not respond to requests for comment.