Willmott Dixon has been selected by Oldham Council to build a new Visitor Centre and Forestry Skills Centre at Northern Roots, the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
The development marks a major milestone in the transformation of 160 acres of green space at the heart of Oldham, part of the council’s ambitious ‘Green and Growing’ strategy. The project has been made possible thanks to £12.9 million in funding from the Government’s Town Deal and Levelling Up Fund Round 2.
Located in the woodland area at the northern end of the site, the new Visitor Centre will include a café, shop, production kitchen, exhibition and performance space, along with learning and meeting facilities for community use. The neighbouring Forestry Skills Centre will offer residents access to vocational training and qualifications in technical and land-based skills.
The new buildings are central to the next phase of development at Northern Roots, which has already seen the planting of 2,000 trees and creation of six ponds to encourage biodiversity, as well as the establishment of a wildflower meadow and community garden.
Additional works as part of the transformation include improved access routes, car parking, an outdoor amphitheatre and further landscaping designed to enhance the site for both wildlife and visitors. Willmott Dixon aims to complete the Visitor Centre in summer 2026.
Michael Poole-Sutherland, Director for the North West at Willmott Dixon, said: “As an Oldham-based business we are excited to be shaping this invaluable community space, working in partnership with Oldham Council once again. In partnership with our proud local supply chain partners, we are committed to creating four new employment opportunities directly on the project. Through our bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ pre-employability programme, we will support 10 previously unemployed Oldham residents with qualifications, skills and work experience.
“We will continue to work with local schools and colleges through site visits, industry workshops and employability sessions. To date, our project team have also volunteered more than 115 hours supporting Oldham people, including with The Salvation Army and the Northern Roots charity.”
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