The half-built 'luxury' sheep shelter causing uproar in a small village

People in a small village on the edge of Rochdale are in uproar... over a sheep shelter. Hundreds of Wardle residents were outraged when they saw it built in the field behind the former Halfway House pub.

It was constructed at the back of someone’s back garden, 7m from the house. Town hall planning officers put a stop to construction and urged applicant Sajid Hussain to submit a part-retrospective application for the shelter.

Hundreds of objectors who live near the site, off Wardle Road, piled into Number One Riverside to make the planning committee aware of their concerns on November 6.

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Ray Walton, speaking on behalf of objectors, said: "The sheep shelter meets the requirements for a one-bed, one-bathroom property. It has a sewage tank as well - all for eight sheep.

"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."

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, who spoke against the plan, said the RSPCA has previously been contacted when sheep have been kept on the site. Planning officers said that isn't a material planning matter, but did highlight that appropriate animal welfare was addressed in planning documents.

Coun Dearnley said the close proximity to houses could lead to vermin entering, as well as foul odours.

Umar Hussain, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the shelter being 'too luxurious' for the animals should not be a concern, adding it was intended as a hobby for his client.

“It’s a negative attitude that they would not look after the sheep properly,” he added. “This shelter allows for more space for the sheep to graze and for better maintenance of the shelter.

“The 14 years the client has lived there, there have been no issues from residents for him doing things he shouldn’t be. There were errors in judgement where bad advice was given but as soon as the council officer told him he stopped and submitted a planning application.”

After agreeing the location on the field was unsuitable for sheep, given the close proximity to houses, councillors said they wanted to see the shelter moved to a different location. For legal and planning reasons this would need to be discussed and altered, so a decision could not be made on the night.

The planning committee agreed to defer the application decision so planning officers, Mr Hussain and residents could consult on the change of area.