THE Northern Roots project has unveiled its initial building designs for the proposed visitor centre and learning centre on its 160-acre site at Snipe Clough.

The building designs have been developed by architect Alison Thornton-Sykes, from JDDK Architects, with ideas contributed from communities in Oldham.

The buildings were co-designed with the help of residents and young people from Oldham College and Mahdlo Youth Zone throughout October.

The two initial design options for each building have been shared across the Northern Roots project’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook platforms to allow residents to comment on the plans and vote for their favourite.

Residents’ feedback will directly inform the next stage of the building design process, with new design options set to be shared in early November for further community consultation.

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and low carbon, said: “It’s really exciting to see these initial designs, and residents and young people actively involved in creating the vision for them. These buildings will provide an exceptional community resource for Oldham, with sustainability at their core.”

Alison added: "JDDK are delighted to share two exciting design options for each site responding to the brilliant ideas generated at consultation events earlier this month. We are really looking forward to hearing the community's thoughts on these design options, which will help shape the further designs of the visitor centre and learning centre."

Northern Roots unveiled the initial masterplan proposal for the site in August 2021, with residents able to explore the proposals online through an interactive map.

It came after the Oldham Council was given £24.4m from the government’s Towns Fund in June to deliver four projects, including Northern Roots which aims to create the UK’s largest urban farm and country park five minutes from the town centre.

The project is currently gathering community feedback that will inform a revised masterplan set to be shared for further consultation in November 2021.

The first stage of consultation has now closed, but residents can still view the interactive map on the Northern Roots website.