Work has officially started on the exciting new Visitor Centre and Forestry Skills Centre at Northern Roots, with council leaders, the Northern Roots charity and partners gathering 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.
