FORMER footballer Gary Neville has met with residents in Harwood to share ideas for a possible replacement to his controversial “Teletubby” ecohome.

The Sky Sports pundit insists he has not abandoned his original plans — but is looking to develop his ecohome without a wind turbine to appease his neighbours’ concerns.

And Mr Neville has now met with objectors to tell them that an alternative design may be submitted.

The former Manchester United and England star believes he can develop a “highly sustainable family home” with “even higher ecostandards”

but without the 100ft wind turbine.

A spokesman for Signature Developments, which is working on the plans for Mr Neville, said: “As the turbine was the main concern or objection of those who opposed his original plans, it was hoped that his willingness to address this issue may have been seen to improve the proposal overall.”

Mr Neville told The Bolton News: “We met with some of the neighbours as a courtesy, to explain our progress overall, but it was never suggested that the approved scheme had been abandoned.”

And when asked what form the design may take he added: “It is far more relevant that I may be able to deliver an even more sustainable and unique home.”

About half-a-dozen residents went to one of Mr Neville’s current properties in the area for the meeting in January, where he shared his latest thoughts on the project.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “People will look at it in different ways.

“Some will be grateful that there is no wind turbine, while there are others who will just not want any building at all on greenbelt land.”

Planning permission for the original eco-home was granted in March last year.

Residents campaigned against the former England right-back’s original plans, which were revealed by The Bolton News last year.

A Town Hall source said: “To build a house on greenbelt land, it has got to be of exceptional design quality and has to be carbon-zero.

“The other reason the design was approved was that it was built into the hillside so from most angles, you could just see a mound.

“Any new design would have to cover those two points — it needs to have limited visibility and be energy efficient.”

A council spokesman added: “We have been made aware Mr Neville is considering submitting a planning application for a revised design.”