Protests have taken place at Julie Goodyear's former mansion at Primrose Hill Farm near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The property, which Goodyear sold after being diagnosed with dementia, has become a flashpoint for local tensions. 5 million.
Protests occurred over the weekend with at least 100 people in attendance, and the demonstration was attended by police and security guards. Building work began at the property without planning permission, and work has started before planning permission has been granted. Locals have grown suspicious after construction and demolition activity began at the site without planning approval.
The exact status of the planning applications and when a decision will be made remains unclear. According to major media reports, protesters are falsely claiming there are plans to turn the property into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for immigrants. Rochdale Council confirmed there had been no plans submitted to house immigrants.
A building control application for a 15-bed HMO was submitted to Rochdale Council in October 2025, but amended on November 10, 2025, to become a 15-bedroom bed and breakfast. Building control plans were amended again on February 11, 2026, to create 10 two-bedroom apartments. Rochdale Council said none of the plans had so far been deemed valid as they did not contain enough detail.
Plans were submitted to Rochdale Council in 2025 but later rescinded, with plans for a 15-bedroom B&B submitted in their place. Permission hadn't been granted when a fresh application was sent in 2026. Now plans show the owners' intention to create 10 two-bed apartments, with the barn set to be turned into a three-bedroom house.
Initial proposals sought to transform the entire property into a large HMO. These plans were subsequently amended to a 15-bedroom bed and breakfast scheme. The most recent application, submitted last month, proposes converting the stables into 10 two-bedroom flats and the barn into a three-bedroom dwelling.
However, there is a contradiction regarding the nature of the most recent planning application. GB News reports that the most recent application proposes converting the stables into 10 two-bedroom flats and the barn into a three-bedroom dwelling, while the Daily Express - UK News states that the most recent application is for nine dwellings, not an HMO. No evidence exists within the submitted plans indicating who would occupy the properties should they receive approval.
Rochdale Council has insisted that the current proposals are 'not for an HMO'. A council spokesman confirmed awareness of building work at the location and said officials had made regular visits attempting to halt the premature construction. Why building work began without planning permission and what enforcement actions have been taken is not specified.
Local ward councillor Paul O’Neill said, 'We just have to stop this disinformation about this site and other sites. There is no planning permission for this property and building work has been stopped following concerns raised by residents and councillors. ' A spokesperson for Rochdale Council said, 'The individual concerned did submit a planning application to us some weeks ago, but this application was for nine dwellings, not an HMO.
' Activists from Heywood Community Guard and Heywood HMO protesters Facebook groups have vowed to continue protesting each weekend until they get confirmation there will be no HMO on the site. Protest leader Jamie Thomason said, '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. ' What evidence, if any, supports protesters' claims about housing illegal migrants is unknown. As of August 2025, there are nine hotels currently being used by the Home Office to house illegal migrants across Greater Manchester.
An unnamed source said, 'It is such a crying shame that Julie’s truly unique house has found itself at the centre of a local war. Julie absolutely cherished her time at the property – especially before she sadly became unwell. The mansion was quintessentially Julie and she spent years making it her dream house adorned with Bet Lynch-esque wallpaper and decorations.
' Who currently owns the property and what are their specific intentions for its use has not been disclosed. How many people are involved in the protests and what is the level of local support for them is also not detailed. The situation continues to develop as authorities and protesters remain at odds over the future of the historic property.