The former £1.5 million mansion of Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear has become embroiled in a contentious local dispute, with residents expressing fears that the property could be repurposed to accommodate illegal migrants. The sprawling four-bedroom estate, located in Heywood, Greater Manchester, was listed for sale in 2024 after Goodyear vacated the premises. The property boasts an impressive gated cobbled driveway, sixteen stables, and a substantial barn, all set across fifteen acres of picturesque land.
Planning Applications and Local Concerns
At the beginning of 2025, initial plans were submitted to transform the extensive property, including the barn and stables, into a large House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). These proposals were later revised to create a fifteen-bedroom bed and breakfast establishment. However, local anxieties have escalated significantly after construction and demolition work commenced on the site prematurely, before any formal planning permission had been granted by the authorities.
Community Protest and Political Tensions
Over the recent weekend, approximately one hundred demonstrators gathered outside the property to protest, brandishing signs and England flags. The protest was organised due to widespread suspicions among the community that the estate might ultimately be used to house illegal migrants. The gathering was monitored by both police officers and private security personnel, highlighting the heightened tensions surrounding the development.
Protest leader Jamie Thomason, aged 47, voiced strong opposition to the plans, stating to The Oldham Times: 'We're here because we're not having an HMO filled with illegal immigrants running around. It's just going to be absolutely horrible having that in the neighbourhood and I am not prepared to let it happen, not a chance. I'll do whatever I can to stop it.' He further emphasised the group's determination by adding: 'We'll protest outside every week if we have to.'
Council Response and Planning Clarifications
Rochdale Council has moved to address the growing concerns, insisting that the current planning applications are 'not for an HMO'. A council spokesperson confirmed that officials are aware of the unauthorised construction activities at the site and have conducted regular visits in an effort to halt the premature works. The council is actively working to bring these activities to an end while the planning process is properly followed.
It is important to note that there is currently no evidence within the submitted plans indicating who would reside in the properties if approval is eventually granted. The applications have evolved, with a more recent submission last month proposing to convert the stables into ten two-bedroom apartments and the barn into a three-bedroom residential home.
Background of the Property and Its Former Owner
The stunning home was placed on the market shortly after it was revealed that Julie Goodyear, the renowned actress who portrayed Bet Lynch on Coronation Street for over twenty-five years, had been diagnosed with dementia. The 83-year-old star had resided in the property for many years, meticulously transforming it into her dream home. An insider close to the situation described it as a 'crying shame' that the soap icon's beloved estate has become the centre of a 'local war', noting that Goodyear had decorated the property in her distinctive 'Bet Lynch-style'.
The ongoing controversy underscores broader community tensions regarding housing developments and immigration issues in the region. As the planning process continues, local residents remain vigilant, determined to influence the outcome and preserve the character of their neighbourhood.
