Controversial ‘luxurious’ sheep shelter plan revived in Wardle | Manchester News

A bid to build a “luxurious” sheep shelter behind a former pub has been revived despite the initial plan causing controversy among villagers.

Hundreds of people complained about the half-finished brick building in the village of Wardle, on the outskirts of Rochdale, and planning officials halted its construction in November last year.

Objectors claimed it was “too luxurious” for eight sheep and was actually a bid to build a one-bedroom property on green belt land.

The applicant claimed keeping sheep was his hobby and he has submitted a revised planning application which Rochdale Council was due to make a decision on at a meeting on 4 September.

The bricked sheep shed was built behind the former Halfway House pub, off Wardle Road, but raised a large number of objections.

Ray Walton, speaking on behalf of objectors at a meeting last year, said: “This is luxury for the sheep.

“This is bypassing laws to build a house on green belt land.

“A compromise would be to build the sheep shelter further away from the homes.”

Mr Walton added: “It doesn’t need to be near the road because sheep don’t drive.”

Umar Hussain, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the shelter being “too luxurious” for the animals should not be a concern.

The council ruled that the field was unsuitable for sheep as it was too near houses.

The planning committee agreed to defer the application decision and now a new proposal has been submitted.

The new plan would see the existing shelter being demolished with a new shelter being built directly behind the former Halfway House pub.