A recent meeting at Rochdale Council unanimously approved a full planning application to transition the local Hopwood Hall Estate back into use after three decades of being vacant, writes Rochdale Online.
image: Historic England Archive – List Entry 1068466
… latest news is an incredible morale boost…
Rochdale Online writes:
Hopwood DePree’s ancestral home, a Grade II* listed manor house which is on Historic England’s ‘Heritage At Risk Register’, was given planning full consent for: ‘Change of use of buildings and grounds to sui generis, to include events; hospitality; tours; education; cafe?; and, shop, with associated ancillary facilities.‘ The application was determined by the Planning and Licensing Committee as the application relates to land and buildings owned by Rochdale Council.
In 2017, Rochdale Council entered an exclusive legal agreement with Hopwood DePree whereby he has the option of acquiring the hall at a future date when he develops a detailed plan to provide for the preservation and protection of the building.
Hopwood DePree said: “This is a monumental step forward. It brings us much closer to providing the long-awaited community access that we have been trying to establish for so many years and it will also allow revenue generating activities to happen on site which will help us tremendously in the rescue, renovation and long term programming….”
DePree’s on-going quest to save the hall has been supported by amongst others Historic England and DCMS ….
He added: “We have much work ahead of us to realise the vision, but this latest news is an incredible morale boost that we have all been waiting for, to realise the restoration of the magnificent Hopwood Hall Estate to its former splendour both for the community at home as well as national and international visitors.
“The Hopwood Hall renovation project promises to bring much-needed work and income to the area….”
