Former England and Manchester United footballer Gary Neville has had plans to build a luxury four-bedroom approved by councillors - even though officials recommended they were rejected.
The 42-year-old, who represented his country 85 times, submitted proposals for the property near Bolton, Greater Manchester, in December.
Planning officials at Bolton advised that councillors reject the plan as the plot was on green belt land.
They added that the very special circumstances needed to justify the development do not exist'.
However at a meeting at 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon, the application was approved unanimously.
The Sky Sports pundit had argued the site is actually brownfield land that has been previously developed and there would be no harm to the green belt.