Farmer ‘threatens council staff with shotgun’ in row over illegal gate

Electric gate at Rothwells Farm in Golborne ordered to be taken down by Wigan Council (Image: Robert Farrar)A farmer who allegedly “threatened council workers with a shotgun” is refusing to tear down an illegal electric gate blocking a public right of way, 18 months after being ordered to remove it.According to the Manchester Evening News, in April 2021, Rothwells Farm, in Golborne, was allowed to keep an agricultural barn by Wigan Council, despite it being built without initial planning permission and amid numerous complaints from neighbours.At the time, Wigan Council officers were told not to visit the site unaccompanied out of fear for their safety from the farmer, named as Mr Price in official papers. A Planning Committee meeting, held on March 23, 2021, heard of neighbours’ complaints around “years” of alleged threatening behaviour from the applicant.Labour councillor Yvonne Klieve accused the applicant of “intimidation”, saying a public right of way on the site has been blocked off by an electric gate using power “stolen” from the supply of the neighbouring residential estate.”We were actually, as councillors, advised to stay away from this area as the applicant had threatened anyone associated with the council with a shotgun,’ she told the committee. “This applicant has no regard for the planning system or for the law.” The barn in question (Image: Wigan council)An order was made for the electric gate and the faux road markings to be dismantled. However, one dismayed neighbour says these obstacles have remained, and called the situation ‘egregious’.’There are fields behind there that are meant to be public access and that is supposed to be a footpath [where the electric gate is],’ Robert Farrar explained. ‘He is blocking off an amenity for people.’The house built [the building retrospectively given planning permission] seems to be abandoned. There are a few buildings, I have no idea what is going on down there.’I cannot fathom why the council has not done anything yet. The fact that he has threatened their workers with violence and their response is not to bother is stunning.’It is part of the reason I am moving away. I just feel there is a lack of concern for this part of Wigan.’Asked why nothing has been done, a Wigan Council spokesperson said: ‘This is a complex issue requiring a multi-agency approach to resolve, our investigation is well advanced, and we are confident that a satisfactory resolution will be achieved in due course.’