Northern Roots appoints award-winning architects and secures funding from Towns Fund

Northern Roots has confirmed the appointment of award-winning architects JDDK to design the proposed Visitor and Education Centres on the 160-acre urban farm and eco-park site in Oldham.

Based in Newcastle, the design team at JDDK have worked on a wide range of award-winning projects across the UK, which are similarly located in sensitive greenbelt and world heritage sites.

JDDK have been appointed for their outstanding creative vision for Northern Roots, and their commitment to sustainable, environmentally low impact design.

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader Oldham Council and Chairman, Northern Roots Board, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome JDDK to the Northern Roots team.

"It’s taken three years of hard work to bring the project to this stage, so this is a pivotal moment in turning our exciting vision for Northern Roots into a reality.

"It's a vision that will bring economic benefits to local communities in the form of jobs and business opportunities, and help us play our part in delivering a more sustainable future for Oldham.”

Nicky Watson, Director, JDDK, said: “Everyone at JDDK is so pleased that our team has been appointed for the Northern Roots project.

"It is a real honour to be given the opportunity to work with Northern Roots to design within such a beautiful and exciting site.

"The project is full of potential to bring real social and economic value to the people of Oldham as well as visitors from further afield, and at the same time protect and enhance its ecology – we can’t wait to get stuck in!”

Northern Roots has just completed a phase of community consultation to solicit ideas around the kinds of activities and businesses people would like to experience or operate on the 160-acre Northern Roots site.

Ideas received from this consultation will feed directly into the proposed masterplan and building designs.

Northern Roots is now working with JDDK to design and deliver further creative consultation sessions, to be held this summer, which will help inform the design of the key buildings proposed for the site.

Northern Roots will share the proposed masterplan, and architects’ designs, for feedback during formal public consultation in autumn 2021.

These designs will then inform the planning application for the site, which is due to be submitted later in 2021.

Initial construction works are expected to begin on the Northern Roots site in 2022.

Northern Roots is one of four projects put forward by Oldham to successfully receive funding from the government’s Towns Fund.

Oldham has been awarded a total of £24.4 million to support the four projects.

Funding will enable Northern Roots to deliver key elements of the proposed project, subject to planning permission.

Proposals for the 160-acre Northern Roots site include a Visitor Centre, Education and Youth Centre, market garden, swimming pond and a Bike Hub and Trails facility.

Anna da Silva, Project Director, Northern Roots, said: “After three years of planning, consultation and feasibility work, this fantastic news means that the Northern Roots project can now move into the delivery phase.

"Funding from the Towns Fund is a validation of Oldham’s inspirational vision for an inclusive, green future.”

Funding from the Towns Fund complements funding already secured by Northern Roots from sources including the Rural Community Energy Fund, the DEFRA-funded Green Recovery Challenge Fund, GM Moving and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

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