Oldham's Northern Roots project has reached a key milestone with the handover of its new Welcome Building and Forestry Skills Centre. The landmark urban farm and eco-park is set to open to the public on Saturday, September 19.

Delivered by a partnership between Oldham Council and the Northern Roots charity, the project is transforming 160 acres of underused land next to Alexandra Park. The site aims to become a major destination focused on nature, health, and community.

The new Welcome Building includes a café, shop, and production kitchen, alongside flexible spaces for events and education. Visitors will also find accessible green spaces, orchards, community gardens, and wildlife habitats. A year-round programme of activities is planned.

By 2030, Northern Roots aims to welcome up to 300,000 visitors each year. The project plans to host 4,500 school visits annually and create 150 volunteering opportunities. It is also expected to support up to 40 new businesses and create between 60 and 80 jobs.

Mary-Ellen McTague, a Manchester food writer and restaurateur, has been appointed as the site's chef partner. She will lead menu development for the farm-to-fork café, where produce will be grown on the urban farm.

The project is already providing local employment. Eight Oldham residents are currently employed through Northern Roots, including five who were previously out of work.

James Kington, Oldham Council's director of growth, said: "This is an exciting milestone for both the project and for Oldham." He added: "Whether you're visiting with family for a day out, enjoying the outdoor play area, learning new skills, attending an event, exploring nature or sampling fresh produce grown on site, Northern Roots will offer something for everyone."

Anna Da Silva, chief executive of Northern Roots, said: "For decades we've tended to think about health, regeneration, nature recovery, skills and economic growth as separate challenges requiring separate solutions. Northern Roots demonstrates that they are deeply connected." She added: "We're not simply creating a visitor destination. We're creating a place that improves lives, supports businesses, restores habitats, develops skills, strengthens communities and delivers measurable social value."

Construction firm Willmott Dixon handed over the site. Its senior build manager, Ryan Ormonde, said the team had spent 340 hours supporting unemployed people into work and invested 160 hours with local schools and colleges.