Everton midfielder Jack Grealish has become embroiled in a heated planning row with local authorities over his £5.6million Cheshire property.
The 30-year-old footballer is seeking to have woodland on his 9.6 acre estate near Knutsford reclassified as garden land, citing his passion for cultivating vegetables as the primary motivation.
Grealish has submitted an application for a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development to the parish council, which would serve as legal confirmation that the land's current usage requires no planning consent.
However, the proposal has sparked fierce opposition from local officials, who fear the reclassification could pave the way for extensive development across the area.
The parish council's formal objection letter, per the Daily Mail, cited the Oxford English Dictionary's definition of a garden as "a piece of ground adjoining a private house usually enclosed where flowers, fruit or vegetables are cultivated and generally used for recreation."
Officials argued that the land in question fails to meet this definition and should remain classified as woodland or curtilage.
The council expressed particular concern that redesignating the area as garden would simplify future planning applications, potentially enabling urban sprawl.
Everton midfielder Jack Grealish has become embroiled in a heated planning row with local authorities over his £5.6million Cheshire property
|PA
Their objection referenced the fundamental characteristics of Green Belt land, emphasising the importance of maintaining openness and permanence.
Local authorities also highlighted ongoing battles between residents and developers over similar protected green spaces in the region.
In his planning application, Grealish outlined the various ways his family enjoys the expansive grounds alongside girlfriend Sasha Attwood and their 14-month-old daughter Mia.
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Jack Grealish has played 20 times for Everton in the Premier League this season, scoring twice
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He wrote: "Since I purchased the property my family and I have enjoyed individual golf practice and lessons, tennis lessons and matches, and boating and fishing on the lake."
The footballer added: "We have used the lawns for regular entertaining with friends and general recreation.
"The garden spaces are used for exercising our dog and we grow vegetables in the allotment areas."
Supporting Grealish's application are the property's previous owner and its former head gardener, who tended the grounds for 27 years.
The parish council noted that a comparable application submitted in February 2020, prior to Grealish acquiring the estate, was rejected on grounds that it conflicted with essential Green Belt principles.
Officials stated there has been minimal change from that earlier submission and questioned why the outcome should differ this time.
Jack Grealish lives at his mansion with Sasha Atwood and their daughter Mia
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The council's objection warned that approval could ultimately facilitate residential development across the entire property.
They pointed to a previous scheme by the former owner to construct a retirement village on the site, which was turned down in February 2022.
The letter also referenced a separate major housing proposal known as Mere Hills Farm, describing both as significant attempts to undermine Green Belt protections locally.
Grealish currently plays for Everton, on loan from Manchester City.
He has played 20 times for the Toffees, scoring two goals and six assists in the Premier League.
David Moyes' men are next in action against Leeds United on Monday (8pm).