Footie legend Fergie kicks off over next door’s building plans

SIR Alex Ferguson was famous for his ‘ hairdryer’ rants at Manchester United players to cajole them to do his bidding.

Now he is using all his persuasive charm on his Cheshire neighbours in his battle to stop a development being built next to his £2.3 million home.

Planners at the local council had given the proposed development in Wilmslow the red card and ruled it as inappropriate after the former manager objected ‘in the strongest terms’ because it was too big and poorly designed.

But now the couple next door, Peter and Josephine Wilson have returned to the fray and lodged amended plans to demolish the existing two-storey pad and build a bigger one with a basement and pool terrace. Cue another forceful interjection from Ferguson, 78, who has fired off a two-page letter of objection via his representatives.

The letter, written on behalf of Sir Alex, says: ‘ The visual mass and bulk of the proposed building would not respect that of the surrounding neighbourhood.

‘It is acknowledged that the redesigned scheme now varies in height, which goes some way to reducing the building’s prominence in the street scene, although we do not consider this to be sufficient as the central section of the building is the same height as in the last application.

‘We express concern that the reason for refusal has yet to be adequately addressed by the applicant by virtue of its scale, the scheme is still contrary to policies.

‘We also express caution that an insufficient level of detail has been provided, even at an outline stage, to be able to fully assess the impacts of the proposal and we therefore consider that the application should be refused accordingly.”

Fergie also criticised the plans over loss of trees along the boundary of his home, which he shares with wife Cathy, loss of privacy and fears of flooding.

Cheshire East Council is expected to make a decision next month.

YOU’RE Beautiful crooner James Blunt has accurately gauged the nation’s mood. ‘During lockdown, while many other artists are doing mini-concerts from their homes, I thought I’d do you all a favour and not,’ the singer says. Bravo.