From industrial land to Eco-Park: a community reclaims space in Manchester
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In Oldham, Greater Manchester, the charity Northern Roots is transforming a 65-hectare former industrial site into the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
For years, the land held cotton mills, coalmines, a railway, and later served as a landfill before being largely left to grow wild. Five years ago, Northern Roots began developing the area with community programs, including a “Natural Health Service” focused on connecting people with nature.
On September 19th, Northern Roots will open new facilities including a cafe, kitchen, performance space, and urban farm, aiming to offer something for everyone in the local area. Oldham council initiated the project, recognizing the potential of green spaces, and now partners with Northern Roots in its development. The charity designed seven programs, covering farming, arts, sports, and learning, to draw people to the site and foster engagement with the land.
Northern Roots also partners with NHS England, offering a Natural Health Service that began as a pilot program with patients from a local doctor’s office. Recent research showed participants improved their wellbeing scores by an average of 8.15 points after engaging with the service, which involves activities like foraging and bushcraft.
Community champions like Faiza Awan and Louise Gibbs emphasize the welcoming, outdoor environment helps people connect with nature and each other, building a sense of belonging and shared ownership of the space. Northern Roots hopes to welcome 300,000 visitors annually by 2030.
