Hope for Hopwood Hall continues with new use approved

Rochdale Council has signed off proposals to turn the grade two star-listed manor house into a hospitality, education, and events space with a café and shop.

The change of use application was approved at the council’s planning meeting on Thursday. The application does not include any of the physical works that would be required to make the historic building fit for its new use. A separate listed building application with those proposals will be submitted in due course.

However, a CGI showcasing designs for the space gives a hint of what that application may contain.

The vision for Hopwood Hall. Credit: via Zena Howard

Hopwood Hall is owned by Rochdale Council, however, historically it belonged to the Hopwood family. A descendant of the family, Hopwood DePree XIV is at the heart of the proposals to breathe new life into the building.

DePree described the approval of the change of use application as “a monumental step forward”.

He continued: “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 of activities at the hall.”

DePree conceded that there was “much work ahead”, but said that the decision was “an incredible morale boost” nonetheless.

Money for the restoration of Hopwood Hall has been provided, in part, by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport – which contributed £480,000. The scheme is estimated to cost around £10m.

Rochdale Council has an exclusive agreement with DePree that he will have an option to acquire the building when there is a detailed plan to both preserve and protect the structure.