A sheep shelter that has been at the centre of controversy in Rochdale will finally be built after three years of turmoil.
Several years ago, Sajid Hussain started construction in the field behind the former Halfway House pub in Wardle, sparking outrage among villagers.
It was built on green belt land behind someone’s back garden, seven metres from the house.
At the time, town hall planning officers put a stop to construction and urged Mr Hussain to submit a part-retrospective application for the shelter, off Wardle Road.
In November 2024, a committee decided the location on the field was unsuitable for sheep, given the close proximity to houses. It was decided the shelter should be moved.
The committee agreed to defer the application decision so planning officers, Mr Hussain and residents could consult on the change of area.
Ray Walton, a resident, speaking at the planning committee meeting last November, said: “This is luxury for the sheep. This is bypassing laws to build a house on greenbelt land.
“A compromise would be to build the sheep shelter further away from the homes. It doesn’t need to be near the road because sheep don’t drive.”
The latest planning committee meeting in Number One Riverside heard how the new proposal would see the existing structure demolished and see a new shelter built directly behind the former Halfway House pub – away from the houses.
At a town hall meeting on September 4, Mr Walton asked for the existing shelter to be destroyed as soon as possible.
However, he maintained his concern that the shelter, proposed to be two storeys in height, could be converted into a new house.
Ward councillor, Coun Ashley Dearnley, added: “I hope the shelter will be removed as soon as possible. The reason for this is that it is an eyesore and it causes ill feeling because it is an unauthorised structure.
“The key to this is the size of the luxury sheep shelter. It would be helpful for scrutiny to take place at every stage of development.”
At the meeting, Sajid Hussain refuted any claim that this sheep shelter would be turned into a house at a later date, saying it wouldn’t meet house size standards anyway. He even suggested it be made a condition of the planning agreement.
“I want this building for the sheep and nothing else,” he told the committee.
After being satisfied a compromise had been reached between the developer and Wardle residents, Rochdale council’s planning committee approved the sheep shelter plan.
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