Northern Roots, Oldham

A landmark moment for the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park

Willmott Dixon has completed and handed over a new Visitor Centre and Forestry Skills Centre at Northern Roots – set to become the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park. Five years in the making, Northern Roots is transforming 160 acres of underused green space next to Alexandra Park, in the heart of Oldham, into a landmark destination for nature, health, learning, enterprise and community life.

Handed over to Oldham Council and the Northern Roots charity in summer 2026, the new buildings form the centrepiece of the site ahead of its public opening in September 2026. The scheme is a key element of Oldham Council’s ‘Green and Growing’ priority. As an Oldham-based business delivering for a valued local client once again, Willmott Dixon was appointed through the Procure Partnerships Framework to bring these flagship buildings to life at the wooded northern end of the site.

What we delivered

Set within newly created woodland – where 2,000 trees have been planted and six ponds created since 2023 – the two buildings were designed around visitors, learners and the landscape:

• A two-storey Welcome Centre with a café, shop and production kitchen
• Two flexible spaces for school visits, community events, meetings, exhibitions and performances
• A dedicated Forestry Skills Centre for vocational training in landscape management, crop growing and other land-based skills
• A low-carbon glulam timber structure supporting the Net Zero Carbon in Operation target
• Associated car parking, access roads and landscape works integrating the buildings into the parkland setting

Sustainability built into the fabric

Constructed around a low-carbon glulam timber frame and targeting Net Zero Carbon in Operation, the buildings were designed to double as a living learning resource for visitors, schools and colleges – demonstrating low-carbon technologies in everyday use. Delivered as a design-and-build contract across an ecologically sensitive parkland setting, the project called for careful sequencing to protect newly created habitats, existing landscape and biodiversity throughout construction.

Real value for Oldham people

Social value ran through every stage of delivery. Working with its local supply chain, Willmott Dixon spent 340 hours supporting unemployed Oldham people into work, invested 160 hours in local schools and colleges, and delivered 103 weeks of support for apprentices and T-Level students. Eight Oldham residents were employed through the scheme, five of whom were previously out of work – a tangible demonstration of how sustainable infrastructure and genuine social value can be delivered hand in hand.

What people said

“As an Oldham-based business, today is a proud moment for our team as we celebrate the handover of Northern Roots to Oldham Council and the Northern Roots charity. Oldham people have been at the heart of this project. Alongside our local supply chain partners, we have helped to develop sustainable employment opportunities by spending 340 hours supporting unemployed people into work. Our teams have invested 160 hours in local schools and colleges and delivered 103 weeks supporting apprentices and T-Level students to help inspire the next generation of industry workers.”

Ryan Ormonde, Senior Build Manager, Willmott Dixon

“This is an exciting milestone for both the project and for Oldham. These fantastic new facilities bring us one step closer to welcoming local residents and visitors from across Oldham and further afield. Together with Alexandra Park next door, it will create one of the borough’s most exciting green destinations – attracting visitors, supporting jobs and helping more people connect with nature.”

James Kington, Director of Growth, Oldham Council