Sign-off nears for first phase of Oldham’s Northern Roots

Update: the scheme was not considered at August’s planning meeting as scheduled. It is understood it will be decided in October.

Plans to transform a 66-acre chunk of Snipe Clough into what is billed as the UK’s largest urban farm and eco park could take a step forward next week. 

Oldham Council’s planning committee will discuss the proposed Northern Roots project on Wednesday, with officers recommending approval be granted. 

“The proposals represent a significant scheme which is envisaged can act as a large-scale demonstrator of how the natural environment can be harnessed and enhanced to be productive and help in improving local economic and social outcomes,” a report to the committee states. 

The project, the first part of a wider 130-acre vision for Northern Roots, will benefit from a slice of Oldham’s £25m Town Deal award. 

The plans feature:  

• A 7,750 sq ft visitor centre with meeting pods, events space, a cafe and a shop
• An 8,700 sq ft learning centre 
• A 3,000 sq ft forestry depot 
• A 93,000 sq ft solar array 
• 66 acres of hard and soft landscaping across the site, including an amphitheatre performance space and a swimming pond. 

JDDK Architects is leading on the design of the built elements and Planit-IE is the landscape architect.  

Arup is the planning consultant for the project.

If planning approval is granted, the scheme will be referred to the secretary of state for final sign-off due to its location in the Green Belt.