Meet the architect, book a site tour - help shape the vision for Northern Roots

Northern Roots is running free site tours so you can discover more about the new urban farm and country park.

Tours will run next Saturday, October 9, 10am to midday, and on Saturday, October 23, 10am to midday.

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

It’s free to attend, but you must book in advance.

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Oldham Cabinet Member for Finance and Low Carbon, said: “These events are a great opportunity for residents to walk the site and discuss the exciting plans for its future.

"See the great work already taking place, ask questions and discover this hidden gem in the heart of Oldham.

“We want to hear from as many residents and local communities as possible.

"Residents’ feedback is crucial to revising and updating the proposed masterplan for Northern Roots.”

The Northern Roots project will transform the 160-acre site at Snipe Clough, near Alexandra Park, into a destination for leisure, enterprise and learning.

In addition to the site tours, there’s also two opportunities for residents to meet architect Alison Thornton-Sykes, from award-winning practice JDDK, and help design the proposed Visitor and Learning Centres.

The meet the architect sessions take place at Alexandra Park Depot on Kings Road Saturday, October 9, between 1.30-5pm and Saturday, October 23, between 1.30-5pm.

These are drop-in sessions, so no need to book in advance.

Children and young people are welcome to attend.

The events are being held as part of ongoing Northern Roots masterplan consultation.

Northern Roots unveiled the initial masterplan for the site in August 2021, inviting residents across Oldham to meet the project team, get involved and share ideas and feedback.

Residents have been able to explore the proposals online through an interactive map and find out more about the plans at in-person consultation events during September.

Northern Roots is currently gathering feedback and will use it to inform a revised proposal.

The revised masterplan will be shared for further consultation in November 2021.

The initial masterplan proposal is the result of three years of ongoing community consultation, and working with experts to develop an initial business model, enhance biodiversity and habitat on site, and explore the possibility of using green technologies, such as solar power.

At this stage in the consultation process, none of the proposals are fixed.

Residents' feedback is crucial and will help to shape the plans.

The first stage of consultation has now closed, but you can still view the interactive map, explore proposals and look at other people’s comments.

To find out more, book a site tour or attend a meet the architects session, click here

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