An American filmmaker has lost his High Court bid to take ownership of Hopwood Hall in Middleton, Rochdale, for £1.
Hopwood DePree, who claims ancestral links to the Grade II-listed hall, said he was “incredibly disappointed” after a judge ruled against him.
He argued a 2017 agreement with Rochdale Council gave him the option to buy the property after securing planning permission to restore and redevelop it.
However, Judge David Hodge KC found the conditions required for ownership to transfer had not been met.
Despite its current state, Hopwood Hall was described as being in the top 10% of most important listed buildings in England, the court heard.
DePree’s plans included a wedding venue, hotel accommodation and visitor attractions aimed at bringing the hall back to life.
However, Rochdale Council decided in 2022 not to transfer ownership of the hall to DePree and later locked him and a group of volunteers out of the site.
The court heard the legal costs were about £150,000, with the council expected to seek an order requiring DePree to pay them.