Julie Goodyear’s former £1.5 million mansion has been at the center of a planning dispute, as locals express concerns that 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.
This sprawling four-bedroom estate features a gated cobbled driveway, 16 stables, and a large barn, set over 15 acres of land. At the start of 2025, plans were submitted to transform the vast property, including the barn and stables, into a large HMO (House in Multiple Occupation). Later revisions proposed turning it into a 15-bedroom bed and breakfast. However, local residents have voiced concerns after construction work began before official planning permission was granted. Many fear the property could be used to house illegal migrants.
The stunning property was listed for sale shortly after it was revealed that the former actress, now 83, had been diagnosed with dementia. Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch on Coronation Street for more than 25 years, had spent years turning the property into her ‘dream home,’ decorated in her iconic ‘Bet Lynch-style.’
A local dispute ignites fears over potential migrant housing
A new application was submitted last month to convert the stables into 10 two-bedroom apartments and the barn into a three-bedroom home. However, the sudden construction work has led to suspicions that the estate could house illegal immigrants. Over the weekend, a protest took place outside the property, with around 100 locals turning out, believing the home could be used for this purpose. Demonstrators, holding signs and waving England flags, 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 neighborhood, and I’m not prepared to let it happen. I’ll do whatever I can to stop it. We’ll protest outside every week if we have to.”
An insider described it as a “crying shame” that Goodyear’s home, once her “dream home,” had become the center of such a local controversy. The insider added that Julie had lovingly decorated the house “Bet Lynch-style” and had spent years making it her perfect home.
