Newcastle architect appointed on “UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park” project

A North East-based architecture firm has been appointed to work on one of the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park developments.

Newcastle firm JDDK has been appointed by Northern Roots to design the proposed visitor and education centres on its Oldham site in Greater Manchester.

Comprising 160 acres, plans for the Northern Roots site include a visitor centre, education and youth centre, market garden, swimming pond and a bike hub and trails facility.

Northern Roots is working with JDDK to design and deliver further creative consultation sessions, to be held this summer, which will help inform the design of the key buildings proposed for the site.

The design team at JDDK have worked on a range of projects across the UK, including some that are similarly located in sensitive greenbelt and world heritage sites.

Nicky Watson, director at JDDK, commented: “Everyone at JDDK is so pleased that our team has been appointed for the Northern Roots project.

“It is a real honour to be given the opportunity to work with Northern Roots to design within such a beautiful and exciting site.

“The project is full of potential to bring real social and economic value to the people of Oldham as well as visitors from further afield, and at the same time protect and enhance its ecology – we can’t wait to get stuck in!”

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, deputy leader of Oldham Council and Chairman of the Northern Roots Board, added: “We’re really pleased to welcome JDDK to the Northern Roots team.

“It’s taken three years of hard work to bring the project to this stage, so this is a pivotal moment in turning our exciting vision for Northern Roots into a reality.

“A vision that will bring economic benefits to local communities in the form of jobs and business opportunities and help us play our part in delivering a more sustainable future for Oldham.”