Hopwood Hall Estate "Battle for the Castle" with Hopwood DePree

Hopwood Hall Estate's "Battle for the Castle" is led by Hopwood DePree and his committed team of volunteers, all working to preserve his ancestral home.

Hopwood Hall Estate | 📸Hopwood Radio

Hopwood DePree and his committed team of volunteers have invested approximately 28,000 hours of their own time to diligently restore the formal gardens and return the old hall to its former glory.

The gardens, once neglected for 30 years by Rochdale Borough Council, have been transformed into RHS award-winning 5-star gardens. Volunteers revitalized the neglected lawn by removing trees, brambles, and stumps and bringing flowers and items from there own homes and gardens to plant at the Hall.

However, towards the end of 2024, Rochdale Borough Council "locked" the gates, preventing Hopwood DePree and his volunteers from entering. This decision was made in partnership with Hopwood Hall College, led by the College CEO, Julia Heap, who is also on the Board of Directors of the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA).

This represents a significant conflict of interest as they are collaborating to acquire Hopwood Hall Estate for themselves. The Hall is reverting to its neglected condition from 30 years ago. Rochdale Council has used Hopwood DePree's business plan ideas and is claiming them as their own. They initially stated that roof work would commence in April 2025, but following a Freedom of Information request, this has now been changed to the summer.

Hopwood DePree has recently posted a video on his YouTube channel that provides more details about the Battle for the Castle, addressing important questions with complete transparency. Perhaps Rochdale Council could learn from his approach! The video is included below.