Two exlandfills + 750 new trees = wildlife sanctuaries for the future
What happens when you take two longclosed landfill sites owned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and plant hundreds of native trees? You begin to transform forgotten brownfield land into a brand-new forest where nature can flourish.
GMCA has converted two former landfill sites in Stockport and Rochdale—unused for waste for decades—into natural havens. Today, Greater Manchester sends only a small proportion of its waste to landfill. Most general waste is now turned into electricity through energyfromwaste facilities. These old landfills, closed and capped around 40 years ago, are reminders of a different era.
Once a landfill reaches the end of its operational life, we level it and cover it with topsoil. Nature usually returns quickly as grasses and weeds take hold. But we knew these sites had the potential to support far richer biodiversity. Former landfills are perfect for wildlife, with minimal human disturbance and lots of space for natural regeneration.
In spring 2024, GMCA partnered with City of Trees to plant more than 750 native trees across the sites. City of Trees works to create greener, healthier places; develop green skills; improve wellbeing; and respond to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
All the new trees are native species, carefully selected to grow together in harmony with self-seeded plants and shrubs. Over time, they will form a natural woodland—canopy, understorey and shrub layer—creating a resilient, diverse habitat. The sheltered conditions will attract a wide range of mammals, birds and insects.
The new forests have been positioned to connect with existing surrounding woodlands. These linked “nature corridors” give wildlife to live undisturbed. Rabbits, roe deer and foxes already live on the sites, and nearby areas support water voles, bats and many bird species.
The trees are doing more than providing homes for wildlife—they’re already absorbing CO₂. This work supports GMCA’s ambition to decarbonise its old waste and recycling sites as part of the Five-Year Environment Plan, which aims to achieve a carbonneutral Greater Manchester by 2038. This will help improve the health of our towns, cities and communities.
Residents visiting the Bredbury or Chichester street recycling centres will be able to watch these young forests grow and mature over the coming years—a visible reminder of how former waste sites can be returned to natural habitats.
