Rochdale council's planning committee is set to rule on August 5 on an application to convert the stables and barn at Primrose Hill Farm, the Heywood mansion formerly owned by Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear, into a seven-bedroom luxury home.
The property, on Rochdale Road East, was the home of Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch on the ITV soap. Earlier this year it became the focus of protests after unfounded rumours that the £1.5m mansion was to be turned into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for immigrants. No valid planning application had been submitted to the council at that time.
Construction work had already started on the site without planning permission. The council issued a temporary stop notice on February 20 after being alerted to the work by councillors.
Seven-bedroom conversion proposal
Months later, Dr Liaqat Malik submitted an application to convert the old stables and barn into an eight-bedroom 'luxury' house. That plan was later scaled back to seven bedrooms, with one fewer on the ground floor.
According to council planning documents, the proposal includes three en-suite bedrooms on the ground floor, a kitchen, dining room, reception area, cinema room and family bathroom. The first floor would have four en-suite bedrooms and a lounge, with space for seven cars. The east stables would be converted into a garage, while the south stables would become a bike storage room, pool area, rest room and bathroom.
Objections and 'staged approach' fear
Ward councillor Paul O'Neill called in the application to the planning committee following concerns raised locally. Objections relate to additional traffic, overdevelopment and worry that the proposal is a 'staged approach to secure an eventual HMO use by circumventing planning controls', according to planning papers.
The earlier confusion over the property came about because the application was made through building control rather than planning. Building control applications look at how a development is constructed, whereas planning permission outlines what is being built.
A series of changing applications
The site has seen a number of changing applications in recent months. In October 2025, a building control application for a 15-bed HMO was submitted to the council. That application was amended on November 10, 2025 to become a 15-bedroom bed and breakfast. Building control plans were amended again on February 11 to create 10 two-bedroom apartments and a stable conversion into a three-bedroom house.
The scheme was amended again on March 12 to convert the barn into a luxury residential house for one family, including an annex building. That latest change was much like the planning application submitted a month later and now being considered by the council's planning officers.
Applicant's vision for the site
The planning application submitted by Dr Malik read: "Our plan aims to address the shortage of luxury housing in the area, which will bring numerous benefits. By increasing the supply of high-end properties, we’ll attract affluent residents and businesses, boosting local economic growth and creating jobs. This, in turn, will enhance the area’s reputation, improve infrastructure, and increase tax revenue for local services. The development will also include amenities like parks, shops, and restaurants, benefiting existing residents and making the area more vibrant. A key part of this plan involves restoring the historic barn, currently in a state of despair. Urgent work is needed to stabilise the structure, preserve its heritage, and bring it back into use. This will not only save a local landmark but also add character to the development, creating a unique selling point for luxury residents. Ultimately, our plan will revitalise the area, making it a desirable destination for luxury living and commerce."
