Former Premier League midfielder Danny Drinkwater has finally received the green light to construct his dream £5 million mansion in the affluent Cheshire area of Alderley Edge, known as a haven for footballers and celebrities. However, the project comes with an unusual condition: the inclusion of a dedicated "bat loft" to protect endangered bats roosting on the site.
The 35-year-old retired footballer, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, plans to demolish a former World War II munitions shed to make way for a lavish seven-bedroom Georgian-style home. The property will feature a swimming pool, gym, cinema, grand entrance hall, orangery, and seven en-suite bedrooms, each with its own dressing room. Additionally, the design includes a club room, lift, and a boot room, catering to the needs of Drinkwater and his family.
Originally granted planning permission four years ago, Drinkwater has since revised the plans to reduce the bulk of the main house and garage, aiming for a more harmonious integration with the green belt landscape. The revised proposal also relocates the indoor pool, gym, and four-bay garage into two separate outbuildings.
The project faced initial opposition from local planners, who deemed the development "inappropriate" and "disproportionate" for the green belt area. However, adjustments, including the bat loft, addressed concerns, leading to approval from Cheshire East Council. "The revised design aims to improve openness in the green belt setting," stated Drinkwater's planning agent.
Alderley Edge, part of Cheshire's "Golden Triangle," is renowned for its luxury homes, high-end shops, and celebrity residents. Notable footballers like Liverpool's Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister, as well as former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, have called the area home.
Drinkwater, who retired from professional football in 2022 after a career that included stints with Chelsea and Leicester, has since transitioned into property development. Last year, he responded to critics on social media, defending his passion for hands-on work on building sites. "I love being on site grafting! It's a choice," he said.
With no objections from neighbors and council approval secured, Drinkwater's ambitious project is set to transform the historic site into a modern family home, blending luxury with environmental responsibility.
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