Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s neighbours try to block plans to build a traveller site near the stars’ £20m mansion
WAYNE and Coleen Rooney's neighbours are in uproar over plans to turn land near their new £20million mega-mansion into a traveller site.
Hundreds of locals have objected to proposals to convert the farmland in Cheshire.
Approval has been sought to build three sites in the area, which is also home to former Manchester United defender Wes Brown and his Real Housewives of Cheshire wife Leanne.
The sites would be minutes from the Rooneys' sprawling dream home, dubbed the 'Morrisons mansion" after it was mocked for looking like a supermarket.
The former England star has laid down a full-size artificial pitch in the back garden complete with its own seating area.
The area of the proposed development is near where many of the north’s rich and famous live, and is one of the country’s most desirable areas.
Building work had already started on the site before Cheshire East Council obtained a court injunction.
There have been approximately 920 letters of complaints about the plans, with many community and resident associations against the new proposals.
Proposer Michael Maloney claims in the design and access statement that he is "a member of the Irish travelling community and has an immediate requirement for residential accommodation” after his previous home was set on fire in an arson attack in April.
Maloney has previously fought planning battles at his former home. In 2015, his application to change the yard into a traveller site was refused and dismissed at appeal.
But two years later, he was allowed to keep ten lampposts claiming they were needed for his children’s safety at night despite 150 objections from neighbours.
Maloney says that the three Cheshire sites are for his wife and four children, one of whom suffers from diabetes.
The other two are for his parents, and sister and her daughter.
Councillor Charlotte Leach said: "I have significant concerns about this planning application, in particular the conduct of the applicants who have carried out considerable work without seeking planning permission in the first instance."
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One local added: "It is no wonder they weren't friendly with their old neighbours. They are quite clearly taking us all for a ride, this seeming to be a trend having happened in other places."
Another letter states: "The well documented history of the Applicant blatantly flouting many other planning regulations, at multiple boroughs across the country, over many years, cannot be dismissed.”
A decision is set to be made by 23 November.
Wayne's proposed mega-home has a luxury underground pool and gym complex, cinema room, 40 acres of grounds, stables and a full-size football pitch.