Manchester City Council has pledged to do all it can to reduce carbon emissions across the city, and as part of this drive the Council is promoting green roofs. Now, in the latest attempt to maximise the vegetated area the City Council has engaged Drivers Jones and Aecom to carry out a feasibility study into making green roofs part of planning requirements. The study is looking to assess the potential for introducing green roof spaces on new and existing buildings in the city. The second phase of the project is to set up a pilot scheme on five buildings in the South Manchester Corridor area - an economic development zone centred on the Oxford Road area. The results of the study will be used to inform planning and property investment policies across Greater Manchester as part of a green roof guidance strategy.

Jon Lovell, head of sustainability at Drivers Jonas, said: “This comprehensive piece of work will hopefully stimulate a major change in perceptions, leading to far greater uptake of green roofs on new and existing buildings across the conurbation. It will provide useful tools for architects, contractors, building owners and managers, and planners."

Meanwhile a few roofs across the city are already being transformed into havens for wildlife thanks to a pre-existing Council campaign.

A metal container used to store toys at the Crumpsall Sure Start Centre in Cromhurst Street was planted with vegetation earlier this year. The roof, funded by the City Council and built by Outerspace landscapers, attracts insects and birds, boosting the area's biodiversity, reduces the risk of flooding by absorbing rainwater, filters pollution out of the air and could play a part in cooling the city by reducing the heat island effect.

Carers at the centre can also use the roof to teach youngsters about nature, as the plants will continue to grow back stronger each spring.

The Council has also teamed up with the BBC Breathing Places, Red Rose Forest and the Wildlife Trust to establish a green roof at the Hulme Garden Community Centre on Rolls Crescent. The roof has been built above three steel containers, while a viewing platform has been set up enabling members of the public to see what it's all about.

It contains a wild flower meadow to attract bees, an alpine garden and a vegetable plot, while one of the containers, used as a rest area, has been fitted with a sun pipe - providing natural light to members of staff.

The City Council has helped set up five green roofs across Manchester over the last nine months, and another three are planned across the city.

The Council would like to hear from anyone who knows of any community buildings such as sheds or containers which could benefit from green roofs. Anyone who has any ideas should contact campaigns.team@manchester.gov.uk

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Green roofs are an important part of creating an attractive city for the residents and businesses of Manchester. There are a lot of myths about green roofs, and some people think they're a strange idea or are difficult to create.

"But both of these are great examples of how they can work for people in Manchester, and we're asking anyone who's interested to get in touch with us."