Former US Filmmaker Battles English Council Over Ancestral Stately Home
In a dramatic turn of events, former US filmmaker Hopwood DePree has taken the English council to the High Court in a fierce battle to gain control of the ancestral stately home he dedicated seven years to saving from ruin.
DePree has been leading a valiant effort to preserve the historic Hopwood Hall in Middleton, Greater Manchester, since 2017. However, a dispute arose when the Rochdale Borough Council claimed he did not meet the conditions of their agreement and locked him out in November 2024.
Despite publishing a book titled Downton Shabby in 2022 detailing his restoration work at the hall, DePree now seeks legal ownership through the court system.
Rediscovering Family History
DePree’s connection to Hopwood Hall stems from childhood stories told by his grandfather about “Hopwood Castle,” which he later discovered to be a real place while researching his family history in 2013.
The 60-room building, with parts dating back to the 1420s, faced neglect after direct heirs were lost in World War One, and the last family members vacated in the 1920s.
Upon visiting the deteriorating hall in 2015, DePree was warned it would be beyond repair in five to 10 years. Determined to save it, he relocated to the UK and signed an agreement with the council in 2017, allowing him to purchase the hall for £1 upon obtaining planning permission for its development.
Challenges and Allegations
DePree invested £750,000 of his own funds to restore the hall and secured planning permission in 2022 to transform it into an event and hospitality venue. However, tensions arose when the council’s involvement increased in 2024, leading DePree to accuse them of undermining his efforts.
Amid allegations of evasiveness and misconduct on the council’s part, DePree’s legal proceedings aim to establish his ownership rights. The council, in response, emphasized the need for a viable business model to secure the hall’s future.
Legal Dispute and Future Prospects
DePree contests the council’s decision to terminate their agreement, citing compliance with the terms outlined in the initial deal. He remains steadfast in his vision to rescue Hopwood Hall and insists on his capability to fulfill the conditions for its purchase.
As the legal battle unfolds, DePree’s commitment to the project remains unwavering, supported by his family background in property development and sacrifices made to fund the restoration.
Despite his roots in filmmaking, DePree’s current narrative revolves around preserving history and fighting for ownership of a cherished ancestral home. The outcome of this legal saga will determine the fate of Hopwood Hall and the legacy DePree seeks to uphold.
