EXCLUSIVE: Former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley sparks furious planning row as he starts building a huge summerhouse at his Essex home without permission

•  Curbishley has now amended plans, reducing the height of the building

Former Premier League manager Alan Curbishley has kicked off a furious row with officials over plans for a huge summerhouse at his Essex home.

The ex-West Ham and Charlton boss, 65, has been caught ‘offside’ after he started building work on the garden room without planning permission.

He wants to erect the outbuilding at the end of his back garden next to a shared boundary with his next door neighbour.

But riled residents and the local council have given the plans the proposed development the boot, saying it is too high, ‘overbearing’ and ‘dominant’.

Curbishley’s original plans for a 22ft-long and 9ft-high summerhouse were thrown out by the local council so he appealed to a Government planning inspector against the decision.

Curbishley’s original plans for a 22ft-long and 9ft-high summerhouse were thrown out by Epping Forest District Council for his house in Essex

The ex-football manager wants to erect the outbuilding at the end of his back garden next to a shared boundary with his next door neighbour

He was shown the red card by the inspector who dismissed his appeal after visiting the former West Ham midfielder’s home in June.

In his report, he said: ‘It would be a substantive building of greater height and bulk than a typical domestic outbuilding.

‘It would be an overbearing and dominant presence seen from the two neighbouring gardens.

‘I conclude that the proposed outbuilding would have a materially harmful effect on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with particular regard to outlook.’

Curbishley, who also played for Aston Villa, Birmingham, Charlton and Brighton & Hove Albion, has now taken the battle into extra time by submitting amended plans, reducing the height of the proposed building.

But the local town council and two neighbours have still objected and have vowed to speak out against the plans at a public meeting.

In a letter the council said: ‘The previous concerns have not been met and the committee commented that the height reduction is not enough.

‘Committee commented on the overbearing orientation of the building in addition to the foundations already on the site were not acceptable.

‘Committee oppose retrospective planning applications which show disregard for the planning system.

‘All applications should be made prior to the commencement of works, following the correct procedures.’

They added: ‘Commitee still stand by their previous comments. The proposed outbuilding will result in a loss of amenity for neighbouring properties as it is too high and overbearing.

Alan Curbishley shouts instructions from the touchline during the Barclays Premiership match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park on May 5, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images), LONDON – MAY 05.

‘This will result on a loss of natural light and overshadowing of the neighbouring gardens.

‘The design of the outbuilding does not complement the setting, particularly as the building will be clearly visible to neighbouring properties due to its bulk and scale.’

Curbishley bought the former three-bedroom house for £835,000 three years ago but was then given the go-ahead to knock it down and build a new five-bedroom home in its place.

Officials at Epping Council are expected to make a decision on the revised plans next month.

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