At a meeting of Rochdale Borough Council Planning and Licensing Committee last Thursday (20 October), a full planning application submitted to transition Hopwood Hall Estate back into use after three decades of being vacant, was unanimously approved.
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; café; 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.