Skip to content

Oldham plans for UK's biggest urban farm and eco-park submitted

JDDK Architects Artist impression of visitor centre at Northern RootsJDDK Architects
Council bosses hope the attraction could attract 100,000 visitors a year

Proposals for what could be the UK's biggest urban farm and eco-park have been submitted for planning approval.

Oldham Council hopes the 160-acre Northern Roots project at Snipe Clough will welcome 100,000 visitors a year.

The plans for the site include a visitor and learning centre, a natural amphitheatre and a swimming pond.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar said it would be "an exceptional community resource... offering a wide array of opportunities and benefits".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the scheme would be partly funded by the council's successful £24.4m Towns Fund bid, with an additional £1m coming from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and almost £600,000 from the Community Renewal Fund.

JDDK Architects Artist impression of learning centre at Northern RootsJDDK Architects
Building work could begin later in the year if the plans are approved

The plans for the site, which sits alongside Grade II-listed Alexandra Park, also include a forestry depot, a community allotment and a cafe.

The documents suggest it could host outdoor performances, weddings, festivals and workshops.

The project would also see two existing football pitches on the site upgraded and two others relocated to a new plot.

A car park would also be created in Nether Hey Street and a number of what developers say would be cycling and walking route improvements would be created nearby.

If approved, building work could begin later in the year.

Presentational grey line

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]