Gary Neville is indeed low-life. He's going back to his roots as a worm. See the attached from the Bolton News today............
FROM THE BOLTON NEWS
Footballer Gary Neville's goal for zero-carbon living
6:00am Tuesday 26th January 2010
THIS is the first look at the new zero-carbon “home of the future” Manchester United star Gary Neville wants to build in the Bolton countryside.
The former England player has spent three years drawing up the designs for the 8,000 sq ft home on his Harwood estate.
Much of the building is underground, leading to comparisons to a Stone Age settlement. But the structure is so advanced the Government is highlighting the scheme as a footprint for all future zero-carbon developments.
Even though the development would be on green belt land, it is understood that Mr Neville is hoping to use planning laws that allow the building of new country houses providing the designs are “truly outstanding and ground-breaking” and reflect the “highest standards in contemporary architecture”.
Last month, the Manchester United club captain impressed planning chiefs in Bolton with his in-depth knowledge of planning issues and sustainable technology.
Plans submitted to Bolton Council last week, by international firm Make Architects, show the kitchen as the “heart” of the development with several wings — with titles such as eat, relax, entertain, work, sleep and play — arranged around the central area like petals on a flower.
In a report to the council, the architects said: “Having spent time with the client and his family at their existing house, it became very clear that the kitchen should be the focus of the new home, as it is the space they inhabit most on a daily basis.
“In response to this, we have structured a spatial arrangement on a single level, where public (entertaining), family (day-to-day), private (bedrooms) and functional spaces (utilities) are incorporated in separate wings which all radiate from a centrally located kitchen at the heart of the house.”
Also in the report, which is one of several documents included with the application, the development is likened to the Skara Brae Neolithic settlement in Orkney, because of the way it is built into the hillside which “enables the surrounding moorland to seamlessly flow across the roof”.
A wind turbine, a ground-source heat pump and solar panels mean the house will be the first zero-carbon home in Bolton, with electricity generated on the site also being used to reduce the carbon footprint of Mr Neville’s neighbouring property and supply the national grid.
Mr Neville, aged 34, bought the entire 18th century farming hamlet, off Tottington Road, five years ago so he could convert in it into a 12-bedroom mansion for himself and wife, Emma.
andrew.greaves@ theboltonnews.co.uk
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