From old railways to an oasis of art, food and nature: how an eco-park was born in Greater Manchester
Source: Guardian Health ↗
Northern Roots, a charity based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, is set to open Britain’s largest urban farm and eco‑park on 19 September, transforming a 65‑hectare former industrial site that once housed two cotton mills, two coal mines and an industrial railway into a public hub featuring a café, shop, production kitchen, performance space, forestry skills centre, outdoor play areas and an urban farm. Founder and chief executive Anna da Silva explained that the aim is to re‑imagine the land as a community asset rather than a maintenance burden, and the site will host seven activity programmes covering farming, food, arts, culture, sport, business and learning. The initiative also includes a Natural Health Service, commissioned by NHS England, which offers nature‑based sessions such as foraging, bushcraft and mindful observation to support mental health, and is already staffed by local champions Faiza Awan and Louise Gibbs, who now serve as guardians of the service.
The eco‑park’s most significant impact lies in its health‑focused Natural Health Service, which diverges from traditional green social prescribing by emphasizing intentional connection with nature rather than exercise alone. Launched as a six‑month pilot in 2023 with patients from Hill Top GP surgery, the programme now collaborates with multiple healthcare providers to aid those facing mental‑health challenges. Independent NHS research published in 2025 found participants’ wellbeing scores rose by an average of 8.15 points on the Short Warwick‑Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, generating an estimated £4,940 in social value per participant, while qualitative feedback highlighted the transformative effect of regular outdoor engagement on individuals who had not been outside for years.
Beyond measurable health benefits, Northern Roots aims to serve as a replicable model for converting derelict urban land into critical community infrastructure. Da Silva argues that such green spaces should be funded like hospitals or schools, as modest investment can alleviate pressure on other public services and foster a sense of ownership among local residents. Community members like Gibbs note that the site’s local roots strengthen connections and democratic participation, while Awan stresses its inclusive appeal. The project’s broader ambition is to shift perceptions of neglected land across the UK, demonstrating that with strategic evaluation of site potential and community needs, former industrial wastelands can become vibrant, multifunctional assets that support health, education, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship.
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🌍 Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.