Forestry Commission completes Rochdale project

The Forestry Commission has completed landscaping work at the Belfield community woodland, near Rochdale.

The former brownfield land is located to the east of Rochdale town centre, between the River Roch and Rochdale Canal.

The North West Development Agency granted £1.75m towards the four-year project through the Newlands programme, a partnership between the Forestry Commission and NWDA to regenerate the Belfield's disused landfill sites.

The Belfield community woodland, off Belfield Lane, includes cycle paths, riverside walks and a fishing lodge.

Tim Oliver, the Newlands programme manager from the Forestry Commission, said: "The Belfield project is really important to the ongoing regeneration of Rochdale, providing a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits.

"The regeneration of the site will help turn the area into a greener, cleaner and more attractive space for local people to play, live and work. It will also help develop links to the national cycle network and continue to develop links to the ongoing regeneration of east central Rochdale."