Hopwood DePree was leading the redevelopment of the Grade II*-listed site in Middleton until the town hall cut ties with him at the end of 2024. A decade ago the American crossed the pond in a bid to restore what he believes to be his ancestral home.
In 2017 there was excitement that the 1400s site could finally be restored as the council entered into an ‘exclusivity agreement’ with Mr DePree. But that exclusivity agreement came to an end on October 31, 2024.
At the time, the council explained that they cut ties with him so they could speak to other investors, which the exclusivity agreement prevented. The local authority felt the US-born Middletonian had not made enough progress and ended the agreement.
Once the exclusivity agreement came to an end, the site was locked to volunteers involved in the project. Rochdale council said a number of health and safety breaches led them to close off the site.
Mr DePree claimed to have spent more than £750,000 on restoring the property, as well as putting in numerous hours alongside members of the local community.
The American believes he had a ‘legally binding agreement to purchase Hopwood Hall’, which the council will dispute in court. It is for His Honour Judge Hodge KC to decide whether the council must proceed with the obligation to transfer the historic building over to Mr DePree.
On Tuesday, September 29, a two-day High Court trial will take place at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Mr DePree is hopeful the court will rule in his favour so he can continue the ‘rescue work’ he began.
Hopwood DePree said: “The last couple of years since Rochdale council locked out our team from Hopwood Hall has been very challenging, not only for me personally but more importantly for the community volunteers and all those who have helped and supported our concerted efforts to bring the hall and its grounds back into use for all.
“Frankly it is hugely worrying and incredibly sad that Rochdale council continues to fight against the one group of people who have poured their heart and soul into this project and have achieved so much.
“So it looks as though we are heading to the High Court in order to be able to continue our rescue work.”
Rochdale council has not commented on the upcoming court case.
A spokesperson for the council previously said: “Hopwood Hall is grade II listed manorial hall which is owned by the council and has been out of use for a number of years.
“In 2017, the council entered into an options agreement with Hopwood DePree which gave him the option to buy the building for a nominal fee if he could produce a commercially viable business model to secure the long term future of the hall, alongside a detailed planning permission.
“Although this agreement has been renewed a number of times since 2017, a viable business case and funding strategy has not been forthcoming, and so the council’s cabinet has made the decision to not renew the options agreement.
“The council sees Hopwood Hall as a very important part of Middleton’s heritage and wants it to play a key role in the area’s future. Over the last seven years, to support the restoration of the hall and protect its long term future, the council has funded and commissioned a series of repairs to the building and, alongside other public bodies like Historic England, has invested almost £1.7m into the building.
“As Hopwood DePree has not been able to produce a viable proposal, despite having had seven years to do so, and having been given advice and support from the council and Rochdale Development Agency throughout that period, in order to protect the public monies invested to date, we now have a responsibility to explore alternative options.”
