Julie Goodyear’s former £1.5million mansion has become embroiled in a row as locals fear it could be used to house illegal migrants.
The Coronation Street legend lived in the property in Heywood, Greater Manchester, before listing it for sale in 2024.
The sprawling four-bedroom property features a gated cobbled driveway, 16 stables, and a large barn, set over 15 acres of land.
At the beginning of 2025, plans were submitted to turn the huge property, including the barn and stables, into a huge HMO.
The proposals were later revised to create a 15-bedroom bed and breakfast.
However, locals have become concerned after work started at the property before planning permission has been granted.
And some fear that the home could be used to house illegal migrants.
The stunning property was listed for sale shortly after it was revealed that the former actress had been diagnosed with dementia.
Julie Goodyear played Bet Lynch in Coronation Street for more than 25 years
The sprawling four-bedroom property features a gated cobbled driveway, 16 stables, and a large barn, set over 15 acres of land
An application has been submitted to turn a barn and stables on the property into a bed and breakfast
The 83-year-old played Bet Lynch in Coronation Street for more than 25 years.
Last month a new application was submitted to turn the stables on the property into 10 two-bedroom apartments, while converting the barn into a three-bedroom home.
But local residents are now suspicious about construction and demolition work taking place at the home.
A protest took place at the house over the weekend, with around 100 people turning up in the belief that the property could be used to house illegal migrants, The Sun reported.
Demonstrators showed up with signs and England flags and were met by both police and private security guards.
Protest leader Jamie Thomason, 47, told 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 added: ‘We’ll protest outside every week if we have to.’
There is currently no evidence under the plans about who would live in the properties if approved.
Rochdale Council has insisted that the current plans are ‘not for an HMO’.
A council spokesperson said that they were aware of construction work at the site and had visited regularly to try and ‘bring an end’ to the premature works.
An insider said it was a ‘crying shame’ that the soap star’s home had ended up at the centre of a ‘local war’.
They said that Ms Goodyear had spent years turning the property into her ‘dream home’ and had decorated it ‘Bet Lynch-style’.
