Red card for Owen's plans

As an England football star, Michael Owen is used to getting what he wants.

But the 23-year-old millionaire looks like being disappointed in his attempts to extend and improve his £1.6million manor house.

Owen submitted plans to add a triple garage, games room and enclosed courtyard to Lower Soughton Hall, some of which dates back to Tudor times.

But planning officers fear the size of the new buildings would not be in keeping with the house's Grade II-listed status and could wreck the beautiful landscape.

They are recommending that the plans are turned down when they are voted on by the council in Flintshire, North Wales, this week.

Owen's desire for a sizeable garage is understandable as he has a collection of cars to rival David Beckham's.

It includes a Range Rover V8 Vogue, a Jaguar XKR sports car - both black with tinted windows - an Aston Martin DB7 Vanquish and a Chrysler Voyager.

If the plans get the go-ahead, the footballer will be able to drive straight into the 45ft-long by 20fthigh garage from his driveway. Above the garage will be a bar and games room.

The slate-roofed building will be connected to the main house by a 12ft-wide covered corridor about 6ft 6in high. Owen lives in the house with his partner, Louise Bonsall, also 23, and daughter Gemma Rose, seven months.

The couple have already carried out improvements to the property, set in 12 acres near Northop, having moved in three years ago.

A playroom has been built, the stables are being expanded to accommodate ten horses and work on a leisure and fitness suite, housing a snooker room, swimming pool, gym and sauna, is under way.

The plans for further alterations are seen as a sign that the couple may be planning more children soon.