Spades in ground at Oldham’s £13m eco-park visitor centre
Willmott Dixon is to start work on three multi-use buildings, including a visitor centre, set to form the heart of the Northern Roots project when it opens in summer 2026.
Oldham Council received £12.9m from the government’s Town Deal fund for the project that will see a visitor centre, a forestry skills centre, and a small events space built on land at Snipe Clough.
Northern Roots is a charity which forms a key part of Oldham Council’s ‘Green and Growing’ strategy by transforming underused land into spaces that cultivate both plants and community.
Designer jmarchitects is behind the 6,300 sq ft visitor centre, which will host a 1,270 sq ft café, a kitchen, a 590 sq ft shop, and two multi-purpose classrooms.
In addition, a 1,000 sq ft events building capable of hosting 60 guests will be made available for hire, designed to operate both in tandem with the visitor centre or as a standalone venue.
A landscaped external area around an outdoor amphitheatre will also be built alongside access roads and car parking – Planit is the landscape architect on duty.
The two-storey forestry skills centre, designed to connect young people and the community to nature, is also planned and will provide 800 sq ft of office space for the Northern Roots team, as well as a 1,370 sq ft workshop, and a 600 sq ft classroom.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said Northern Roots is a “groundbreaking project” that will “benefit communities for generations to come”, calling it a “win-win” for Oldham.
She said: “Oldham Council is proud to be driving this project in partnership with Northern Roots, creating a thriving space for education, recreation, and enterprise, showcasing Oldham as a leader in green innovation.
“The visitor centre will provide our residents with skills, support opportunities for businesses, and enhance the local environment.”
Further work down the line will see more allotments, a 93,000 sq ft solar array, play areas including ‘wild play’, mountain biking facilities, and a swimming pond built.
Anna da Silva, chief executive of Northern Roots, said: “This is a key step in unlocking the potential of the site.
“We’re grateful to all the partners who have supported the vision for Northern Roots and helped bring the project to this stage, particularly Oldham Council, our local communities, and our funders.”
Michael Poole-Sutherland, director for the North West at Willmott Dixon, added: “As an Oldham-based business, we are excited to be playing our part in shaping this invaluable community space.”
The 160-acre Northern Roots is set to be the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park, with a focus on green space, community building, and local recreation.
Over the last two years, Northern Roots has created volunteering opportunities, delivered activities for children and young people, and engaged around 6,000 residents through cultural and environmental activities.
The Northern Roots site is set to remain open for visitors while construction is ongoing.
To view Northern Roots’ application, use the planning reference number FUL/352515/24 in Oldham Council’s planning portal.
If anyone wants to know how slow this country is,at getting an idea to a functioning reality, this is a perfect example. How long has this been planned? Adam was in nappies when this was first mentioned.
By Elephant
All credit to council leader Arooj Shah for her vision and outstanding leadership
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