'Fed up' residents' plan to turn aristocrat's mansion into sheep museum

Angry people incensed by the approval of a 500-home development near their homes have taken the audacious step of putting forward plans to convert the London mansion of an aristocratic landowner into a sheep museum.

Halebank locals are making a stand by submitting a planning application with Westminster Council to turn Catherine Hesketh's Porchester Terrace property into a sanctuary for rare breeds. Catherine Hesketh, a socialite known for rubbing elbows with the likes of King Charles and Andy Warhol, is part of the Fleetwood Hesketh family, who own extensive lands including acres close to Halebank.

The dramatic move follows the tight approval of controversial housing plans by developer Harworth Group on former greenbelt land at Halebank's boundary – a decision made by the casting vote from the planning committee's chair after a deadlock of four votes for and against each side.

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The Halebank community's proposal to the council reads: "We wish to launch an exciting new venture (which I am hopeful will be seen as quite a coup for Westminster City Council) as a captivating celebration of our ovine brothers and sisters."

While the chances of the townhouse near Hyde Park being transformed are slim, the campaigners are intent on sparking conversation.

Community campaigner and Parish Councillor John Anderton, of the Friends of Halebank group, commented on the situation.

He said: "The community has reached out to Catherine Hesketh and the family for dialogue to see whether we can find a reasonable and mutually agreeable compromise, but we have been completely ignored."

Friends of Halebank spokesperson, Terry Colquitt, said: "It's a shame that it has come to this, but maybe she will now understand what it's like for someone living 200 miles away to submit a planning application that could dramatically change the place you call home."

They argue that submitting plans for a heritage centre for rare breed sheep indicates the 'devastating effect' the proposed development could have on local farming, particularly impacting Sandra Lawson, who raises rare breed sheep. Her smallholding would be fully encircled by the new housing.

She expressed her concerns directly: "This development will make it impossible for me to carry on my business, but it is also taking out an enormous chunk of the last bit of open countryside on this side of the Mersey Estuary."

An official representing Catherine Hesketh's estate offered no comment on the matter.