Rio Ferdinand planning eco-friendly mansion
Monday, 7 February 2011 2:40 PM
Rio Ferdinand has announced his plans to build a new luxury mansion packed to the rafters with eco-friendly sustainable construction products.
The 32-year-old England football ace has revealed details of the seven-bedroom eco home that will serve as a palatial yet environmentally friendly retreat for him and his wife Rebecca, along with their two sons, Lorenze and Tate.
Located on the outskirts of south-east London, the Georgian-style property will feature ground-source heat pumps and an eco-friendly rainwater recycling system.
Ferdinand explained how the family's energy efficiency drive had been inspired through his work with FA Cup sponsor E.ON – and he is keen to teach his kids about the importance of green living.
He said: "It has opened my eyes. Saving energy comes down to simple things like installing LED lighting or putting in the right boiler. If I can replicate that in my house, that's a positive thing.
"If I can become more educated, I can pass that on to my children and hopefully they can have a better start at being greener," he added.
In 2010, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was refused planning permission for an eco-friendly underground bunker in Bolton.
Neville had hoped to construct the zero-carbon underground property, branded a "Teletubbies' house" by the tabloids, on greenbelt land, provoking furious opposition from local campaigners.
Want to be the first to know when we break a story? Follow @AboutProperty on Twitter.
