A PREMIERSHIP footballer's dreams of transforming his Rossendale home look set to be dealt a blow this week after council chiefs ruled the plans were out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Manchester United and England star Phil Neville is planning to build a swimming pool at his 17th century manor house in Crawshawbooth, along with a first floor flat for security staff and a triple garage.

But planners are expected to knock back the proposals when they go before the council's development control meeting on Thursday.

The Manchester United and England defender and his wife, Julie, applied to Rossendale Council last year for listed building consent to alter 400-year-old Sunnyside House in Burnley Road.

But the plans sparked objections from Rossendale Civic Trust which said the extension would not fit in with the existing house or the adjoining Grade Two listed St John's Church.

And a report to Rossendale council says: "In terms of its location, scale and plan the extension takes on a visual dominace that is inappropriate to its purpose and detracts from the simple rectangular plan of the present listed host building."

The Nevilles want to demolish a dwelling house and extend the main Grade Two manor house.

The couple have two planning applications with Rossendale Council, the first for listed building consent, required for any outside alterations to a listed property, and the second outlining proposals in detail.

Last year it was reported the Nevilles planned to up security at their home after a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Police were called by the couple in April last year.

Jonathan Greenwood, 22, of London, appeared before magistrates and was bound over in the sum of £200 to keep the peace.

Phil Neville married his Rossendale sweetheart Julie Killelea in 1999 at a star-studded ceremony with guests including David and Victoria Beckham and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Julie, of Chapel Hill, Rawtenstall, dated the England defender for two years and the couple tied the knot at St James the Less Church in Burnley Road.

Julie, an ex- pupil of St Hilda's RC High School, Burnley, is the daughter of millionaire Rossendale builder Bob Killelea.