Public bodies in Greater Manchester are working together to turn up to 71ha of industrial brownfield land into community woodland as part of the Newlands scheme.
The aim is to connect the area to a network of green spaces including Lightbowne Country Park and Moston Vale.
The North West Development Agency has agreed to put forward £4.9m to create the woodland along the Moston Brook on land owned by Manchester City Council, Oldham Borough Council and Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, in partnership with Groundwork Northwest, the Environment Agency and Pennine Edge Forest.
The plan is to stimulate the local economy by attracting people and businesses to the area. It adjoins the Manchester to Leeds railway and the forthcoming Metrolink extension to Rochdale and Oldham.
"By working closely with our partners on this project we aim to develop links between the communities either side of the brook, create a stunning environment for both businesses, residents and visitors to enjoy, and encourage and support the economic growth of the area," said City leader Sir Richard Leese.
GMWDA owns a disused landfill on the site and is installing methane and leachate collection systems.
"We are pleased that this former landfill site has been developed as green space for the benefit of the wider community," said Authority chair Neil Swannick.
Newlands has now invested more than £6m in Manchester and Oldham and is overseeing reclamation of 92ha of brownfield land.
"As one of the country's leading land regeneration schemes, Newlands has already made a huge difference to the quality of life, business opportunities and economic improvements within a number of areas in England's North West," said NWDA executive director of economic development Mark Hughes.
