A dispute between Rochdale Council and actor Hopwood DePree over Hopwood Hall’s restoration divides the local community.
The hall is the focus of a dispute. Rochdale Council owns the building. Hopwood DePree led the redevelopment. He is a Hollywood actor who moved to Middleton ten years ago. He wanted to restore his family’s hall.
In 2017, excitement grew when the council made a deal with DePree. He promised to restore the hall from the 1420s. That deal ended abruptly last October.
The council says DePree lacked progress.
They want to talk with other investors, but the agreement blocked that option. Historic England invested £368,000 and were shocked by this change. Historic England supports the project and worries about the hall’s future.
Plans have shifted now, and the hall means much to locals. Historic England values their work. Volunteers gave time to maintain the hall and sought funding. Historic England wants a community solution that should celebrate the hall’s history.
The council says repairs will finish. DePree feels stunned by the council’s action. He thinks he can buy Hopwood Hall, but the council disagrees with this claim. He spent much of his own money, totaling about £581,000.
Volunteers worked to improve the hall, focusing on gardens and the exterior. DePree got permission for big changes in 2022. These included a cinema and hotel. The council locked the site after the deal ended.
Volunteers felt angry and confused. A good relationship turned sour suddenly. Residents felt appalled by this. Locals gathered at Smalley Memorial Hall, where volunteers spoke passionately at a meeting. They want DePree to stay in charge and started a petition for support.
The council says safety issues forced the closure. As owners, they are responsible. They will soon repair the roof, which will cost about £600,000.
The council spent £100,000 on a study.
It explores ways to reuse the hall. DePree considers legal action now and thinks he can still buy the hall. DePree funded rescue efforts for years. He trusted the council and community. Now he struggles to believe their actions.
He thinks the council cannot properly care for Hopwood Hall. He won’t work with them right now. He wants a full investigation first. He prioritizes the volunteers and thinks they were treated with disrespect.
The council says DePree could buy the hall, but he needed a viable plan and permission. The council says he failed to deliver, and they invested nearly £1.7 million. They must protect public money and assets.
Consultants said DePree’s plan lost money. They felt he could not get funding. The council will explore alternative options.
The council leader says the hall matters much. It is more than one person’s project.
Public assets need careful handling first. They asked DePree to meet conditions. They will involve volunteers in future plans.
