Steven Gerrard's £3m mansion in Formby could be shared with bats and owls

Steven Gerrard could be sharing his £3m retirement mansion with bats and owls, after planning officers forced the LFC legend to take special care of wildlife on the property.

The LFC legend’s luxury five-bedroom detached home has now been given the go ahead by the council, but not before the skipper agreed protected species of bats and owls would not be disturbed during the build.

His team of builders had to survey the area to re-assure council planners that the two-acre development site would not interfere with local wildlife.

A species of bat known as the Brown Long-Eared bat is common in Formby and now ecologists have told the former England international that he must install special bat boxes for them at his new pad, as well as taking special care not to disturb the local owl population.

Gerrard’s builders were told that ‘light spillage’ from the develpoment onto the countryside boundary of the mansion could affect bat foraging activities.

Hedgehogs could have also spiked the reds captain’s plans, with landscaping ordered to take care of any they may come across.

The home, which is for Gerrard’s retirement and his family during visits back to the UK, is being built as he embarks on a new career in the Major Soccer League, playing for L.A Galaxy for the next 18 months.

In March, plans were revealed for the palatial home, which features six reception rooms, five ensuite bedrooms and a swimming area.

His children were well catered for in the plans, which included a homework room, cinema, a nature trail and a sports deck.

Gerrard and wife Alex will move to a six-bedroom Malibu home which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and costs a whopping £13,400 a week to rent.

Story source: Liverpool Echo