Construction begins on Oldham’s flagship eco project

Work has officially started on the exciting new Visitor Centre and Forestry Skills Centre at Northern Roots.

Council leaders, the Northern Roots charity and other partners gathered to mark the milestone on site, and to see first-hand how the ambitious plans are coming to life.

The new facilities are a key part of the transformational £12.9 million Northern Roots masterplan, which will see 160 acres of green space in the heart of Oldham developed into the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.

Delivered by Oldham Council with support from the Government’s Town Deal Fund and Levelling Up Fund Round 2, the next phase of development will bring long-term benefits to the borough – boosting skills, jobs, tourism, biodiversity and the local economy.

As construction begins, local people are already seeing the benefits. The build, led by Willmott Dixon, is creating employment and training opportunities for Oldham residents.

The project will directly create four new employment opportunities and 10 unemployed Oldham residents will be supported through the their ‘Building Lives Academy’ - with qualifications, skills and work experience.

Staff at Willmott Dixon have already volunteered 115 hours with the Northern Roots charity and the Salvation Army, with more work expected to take place with local schools and colleges as the build progresses.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Northern Roots is an ambitious project that reflects our commitment to Oldham’s future. It brings together some really important themes of nature, learning and community.

“We’re not just building new facilities, we’re building careers, raising aspirations, and putting Oldham on the map as a leader in green innovation.

“I’m incredibly proud to see this phase of construction begin, and to see local people already benefiting.”

The Visitor Centre will include a café, shop, production kitchen, performance and exhibition space, plus classrooms and meeting rooms. Nearby, the Forestry Skills Centre will focus on technical and land-based training, helping residents gain valuable qualifications in sustainable industries.

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Chairman of Northern Roots Charity Board, said: “This is a milestone moment. Northern Roots isn’t just about regeneration - it’s about helping residents into jobs, creating sustainable futures, and unlocking the potential of this amazing space.

“This project shows what’s possible when we invest in Oldham’s people and places and is part of the Council’s ‘Green and Growing’ priority.”

Over the last two years, the Northern Roots charity has established the first phase of the Urban Farm, delivered volunteering, wellbeing and cultural programmes for more than 6,000 people, and created vibrant habitats with over 2,000 new trees, six ponds, a community garden and wildflower meadow.

Anna da Silva, CEO of Northern Roots, said: “This is an exciting moment. By working together Oldham Council and the Northern Roots charity are bringing the unique vision for this beautiful site to life – harnessing and nurturing our urban nature in a way that also delivers opportunities, skills, wellbeing, fun and beauty for our communities.

In years to come we hope that visitors from across the region will come to enjoy these facilities and connect with nature and each other.”

The new build marks the next phase of development, which also includes landscaping, access improvements, car parking, an outdoor amphitheatre, and longer-term plans for a solar array, wild play zones and community growing areas.

Mike Lane, Director of Operations of Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “As an Oldham-based business, we proudly share Oldham Council’s passion for ensuring this unique and sustainable hub creates opportunities for local people.

“This milestone event is a great opportunity for us to join our partners and look ahead with real excitement at future work to come, alongside the difference this project will make to the Oldham community.”

Work is now underway, with the Visitor Centre expected to open in summer 2026. The Northern Roots site remains open to visitors throughout the construction period.

To find out more about regeneration work across Oldham, visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/regen

To learn more about Northern Roots, visit: https://northern-roots.uk