Northern Roots, a charity in Oldham, Greater Manchester, will open a new facility to the public on 19 September. The site, which spans 65 hectares (160 acres), will feature the UK's largest urban farm and eco-park.
The land was once home to two cotton mills, two coalmines, and an industrial railway, with about 24 hectares later becoming a tip. Over the past five years, Northern Roots has developed the site, running community programmes including a Natural Health Service.
The new facility will include a cafe, shop, production kitchen, performance space, forestry skills centre, outdoor play areas, and an urban farm. The charity aims to transform the former industrial land into a significant community asset.
The Natural Health Service, commissioned by NHS England, launched as a pilot in 2023 and now supports individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Independent NHS research published in 2025 indicated that participants improved their wellbeing scores by an average of 8.15 points on the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.