A £12.9 million urban farm attraction called Northern Roots has opened in Greater Manchester, transforming 160 acres of previously underused land near Alexandra Park into a major new development. The project is a collaboration between the Northern Roots charity and Oldham Council, and includes a four-acre urban agriculture site known as Snipe Clough Farm. Other features of the site include a farm-to-fork café, outdoor play areas for children, a forestry skills centre, walking trails, and spaces for school visits, community events, and performances. The site officially opened on 19 September and will be open to the public from 24 September, with regular hours from 9am to 4pm on Thursdays through Sundays. Northern Roots aims to attract 300,000 visitors each year by 2030 and offers a variety of activities, such as beekeeping courses and textile classes. The project also plans to increase local wildlife habitats by 25 per cent and store 30,000 tonnes of carbon by 2050, contributing to environmental sustainability goals. According to Oldham Council, the site is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents, support educational initiatives, create local jobs, and help drive the ongoing regeneration of the area. Anna da Silva, chief executive of Northern Roots, emphasized that the project is more than just creating a green space. She highlighted the importance of investing in nature as essential social infrastructure, suggesting that natural environments can provide significant benefits to communities. Shelley Kipling, chief executive at Oldham Council, described the transformation of former industrial land into a vibrant green space as "remarkable" and a "landmark moment" for the borough. She noted that the development complements Oldham’s broader efforts to revitalize the area and improve quality of life for residents. The Northern Roots project reflects a growing trend in urban planning that integrates nature and community development. By repurposing land that was previously used for industry, the site offers a model for sustainable urban growth that combines environmental benefits with social and economic opportunities.