A councillor has furiously denied reports from locals that the former home of Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear was ever going to be used to house illegal migrants.
Protesters in Heywood, Greater Manchester, have become convinced that the former soap star‘s home is about to be used to house migrants and have held demonstrations outside the home in opposition.
However, a local councillor has denied the claims, calling it ‘disinformation’ spread by a local group.
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 feared that the site was being prepared to house illegal migrants.
Rochdale councillor Paul O’Neill rubbished the claims, saying: ‘There is no planning permission for this property and building has stopped.’
Julie Goodyear played Bet Lynch in Coronation Street for more than 25 years
Protesters gathered outside the soap star’s former home, concerned that illegal migrants will soon be moved in
He told BBC News: ‘We have to stop this disinformation.’
The last official request for planning permission at Primrose Hill Farm was made by Goodyear herself in 2006, but a building control application was submitted last year before it was revised.
Work had begun at the property but the council issued a temporary stop notice on February 20.
It has now been confirmed that the developer has complied with the order.
A local group believed the building work represented a sign that illegal migrants could be housed at the site.
A protest took place at the house over the weekend, with around 100 people turning up in objection, despite no evidence being presented about migrants being housed at the site.
Demonstrators showed up with signs and England flags and were met by both police and private security guards.
They vowed to continue protesting week-on-week.
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.
The sprawling four-bedroom property features a gated cobbled driveway, 16 stables, and a large barn, set over 15 acres of land
The stunning property was listed for sale shortly after it was revealed that the former actress had been diagnosed with dementia.
The 83-year-old played Bet Lynch in Coronation Street for more than 25 years.
A spokesperson for Rochdale Council told BBC News: ‘The individual concerned did submit a planning application to us some weeks ago, but this application was for nine dwellings, not an HMO.
‘This application wasn’t valid, so is not listed on our website, as would be the case with any invalid application.
‘An invalid application is one where the applicant hasn’t submitted enough information to enable officers to make a recommendation on whether the application should be approved.
‘Regarding the reported building on site without planning permission, the temporary stop notice remains in place and our enforcement team are making regular visits to the site and speaking to residents in neighbouring properties to ensure that the individual concerned is complying with this temporary stop notice.’
