Anger over 'footballer' mansions

Alderley Edge has many millionaires in its leafy surroundings

Rich newcomers who demolish older houses to rebuild large "footballer-style" homes are damaging a Cheshire village, residents say.

Developers knock down traditional homes to build "monstrous" mansions for their affluent clients, including Premier League stars, campaigners claim.

Residents of Alderley Edge plan to use 1972 laws to force a referendum.

People in the village will be asked if they agree that the demolition of the homes is damaging the environment.

Macclesfield Borough Council said it followed all existing guidelines when considering planning applications.

What we don't like is the environmental impact of knocking down perfectly good houses and putting up enormous homes Martin Sinker, campaigner

The village, which lies about 14 miles (22.5km) south of Manchester in Cheshire's leafy commuter belt, is said to have more millionaires per square mile than any other.

It has been home to footballers for a number of years but since David Beckham lived there in the late 1990s a host of Premier League stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick, have flocked to the area.

While residents do not object to their presence, they are not happy with builders snapping up older homes and building luxurious properties in their place.

Martin Sinker, of The Edge Association, said the trend had led to more and more large luxury properties and fewer houses that ordinary people could afford.

Under the Local Government Act of 1972, if six or more residents write to the parish council to call a public meeting, it has to oblige.

Public pressure

Mr Sinker said: "We hope this will lead to a poll giving the villagers a chance to say what they really think about the rate of development and some of the monstrosities that have been built.

"What we don't like is the environmental impact of knocking down perfectly good houses and putting up enormous homes that very often are out of keeping with the local environment."

Unless the buildings are listed or in a conservation area, existing houses can often be knocked down to make way for bigger developments under national planning guidelines.

In a statement, Macclesfield Borough Council said it accepted that new developments should be "in keeping with the existing character of the area".

But it said it was prepared to grant planning permission for "interesting and individual" designs for homes in the area.

The public meeting is being held in the village in April and, if enough residents are in favour, campaigners hope to put pressure on the new unitary council of East Cheshire, which is being formed in 2009.