THE palatial home fit for a Premiership footballer has sparked a planning row in Rossendale.

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

But Rossendale Civic Trust has the proposals make the property too big.

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

But the trust's chairman Kathy Fishwick has looked at the proposals and said there were serious questions over the designs.

She said: "In terms of the existing property, the new design certainly seems a bit excessive. But it is just too big.

"Some people have looked at the drawings and remarked how nice it would look, but others have said it is rather ostentatious. In terms of current design thinking, it would certainly be better if the building were honest about what it is rather than trying to hide the fact it is a swimming pool.

"We will certainly be putting a comment forward to Rossendale Council."

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 the proposed development 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 to their former Diocesan Conference Centre home in April last year.

Jonathan Greenwood, 22, of London, was later bound over in the sum of £200 by magistrates.

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, 24, of Chapel Hill, Rawtenstall, had been dating the 27-year-old defender for two years and the couple tied the knot at St James the Less Church in Burnley Road.

Julie is the daughter of millionaire Rossendale builder Bob Killelea.

Phil, from Bury, and Julie, a former pupil at St Hilda's RC High School, Burnley, celebrated the birth of their first child, Harvey, in June 2002.

Phil Neville declined to comment on the planned extension today.