Oldham to house the UK’s largest urban farm and eco park

In exciting new plans, Oldham – a town not so famed for its abundance of greenery and wildlife – is set to host a project billed as the UK’s ‘largest urban and eco park.’

Northern Roots, the brains behind the ambitious project, have vowed to transform the 160 acres stretching from Alexandra Park through to Limehurst into the country’s largest urban farm and eco park.

The eco-park and farm, which are both scheduled to be completed early next year, will boast some seriously impressive features, such as glamping pods, an adventure area with mountain bike track, a festival field for events, pens for livestock and poultry, and even an amphitheatre and performance area.

Plans also include a swimming and fishing pond, a garden centre and market garden, new sports pitches, community orchards and a learning centre all on site.

Northern Roots

The project will be made a reality with a helpful cash injection from the £24 million Oldham was rewarded through the government’s Town Funds, and will aim to transform the town to become ‘the greenest borough in the region.’

In a statement, Northern Roots said: “Through its award-winning parks and Growing Hubs, Oldham Community Power  and projects like Get Oldham Growing Oldham has become a beacon for community growing, local food production, horticulture training, renewable energy, and urban biodiversity.

“With initial support from Oldham Council, Northern Roots is a unique opportunity to build on this expertise at an unprecedented scale.

“Our aim is to develop Northern Roots in a way that creates jobs, skills and business opportunities for local people, while preserving and enhancing the biodiversity and environmental value of the site.”

Northern Roots

Despite the overwhelming positives the project will bring, however, councillors have been clashing over it, with some claiming that residents have been kept in the dark – new Conservative councillor Sahr Abid told a meeting of Oldham’s full council that the town hall was ‘not listening’ to residents over the plans.

She said: “As Oldham grows, develops and changes, we as councillors must remember to listen to our communities and bring them with us. Unfortunately I fear that this council is failing to listen to its residents when it comes to the Northern Roots project.

“When I look at the board of directors I only see two experts, one in the field of enterprise and the other in wildlife.”

An online consultation will running until September 12th, where you can have your say on the project. There will also be an in-person meeting at Spindles Shopping Centre on September 4th from 11am until 3pm.