A town planning report on Gary Neville's controversial application to build a £6 million eco-friendly home has referred the final decision on whether the development should go ahead to the government.
The Manchester United football player has had his designs for the site described as a 'Teletubbies house' because of its flower-shaped design, reports the Sun.
Staff in town planning jobs in Bolton are in favour of the application but have decided that communities secretary Eric Pickles should make the ruling on whether Neville can build the property.
Councillors will now have to decide whether Mr Pickles should be given the final say – a move which would mean considerable delays for the project.
"The proposed scheme is of an exceptionally high quality design and has a sensitive relationship with the surrounding landscape and its neighbouring residents," said the town planning report.
Last month, town planning consultant Richard Gee, representing the Rise Against Greenbelt Exploitation group opposing the work, said Neville's plans for the site was based on "flawed" information, reported the Daily Mail.
