Plans for Eden Project North have now been submitted to Lancaster City Council. Intended to be a major new exemplar attraction in Morecambe, opening in 2024, it seeks to reimagine the British seaside resort for the 21st century.
The plan is for a year-round destination that combines indoor and outdoor experiences, connecting people with the internationally-significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay while also enhancing wellbeing.
A deal for the land where Eden will be built has also been agreed. Lancaster City Council, which owns the land, will transfer the site to Eden, subject to the company achieving planning permission and funding for the attraction.
The site, on Morecambe seafront, was formerly occupied by the Bubbles leisure complex and is next to the town’s iconic Midland Hotel.
As part of the agreement, as the development becomes established and visitor numbers reach an agreed level, a percentage of each ticket sold will be paid into a trust fund which will be used to benefit the local community.
Planning approval is just one hurdle for the project to surmount. As the Lancahsire Business Review noted earlier today, it still needs to raise millions in funds to build the attraction, and has previously submitted a strong business case to the government for the cash towards the total £125 million cost of the project, highlighting how the proposed attraction can be a key driver for a post-Covid green recovery in the North West.
Eden Project North is projected to attract around one million visitors a year and directly employ more than 400 people.
It estimates a visitor spend of more than £200m per year in the region – not including money spent at Eden Project North – which would support an additional 1,500 jobs.
There are hopes combined campaigning will see Chancellor Rishi Sunak make a commitment to the project as part of the autumn spending review in October.
Coun Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, says: “Eden Project North promises to be the most significant project in our district for a generation. It will provide huge benefits to our economy through a commitment to local purchasing and creation of good local jobs.
“I’m particularly pleased that our agreement with them includes the creation of a community fund, which will ensure the people of Morecambe directly benefit for generations to come.”
David Harland, Chief Executive of Eden Project International, said: “The submission of the Eden Project North planning application is the culmination of years of hard work from the Eden team and our partners and a reflection of our many conversations with the Morecambe community.
“Eden Project North is a true collaborative effort and everyone who has taken part in our consultations, both formal and informal, can be confident that their input has helped shape this project. We are enormously proud of how this project has developed and hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed to it, especially considering the incredibly difficult circumstances of the last 18 months.
“This is a huge moment for Eden Project North but we are not resting on our laurels. The hard work continues and we hope to have positive news about funding for the project before the end of this year.”
David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: “I am sure the Council will look favourably on the Eden application as it is what the whole of the community in Morecambe and the wider area want. This will also be a hugely significant milestone in securing the £70 million funding from the Government that is required to make Eden a reality and create prosperity and opportunity for current and future generations.”
Debbie Francis OBE, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership which contributed £1.2m of Growth Deal funding, said: “It is really exciting that Eden Project North has reached another milestone and the county is one step closer to seeing such a transformational scheme for both the immediate and wider area come to fruition.”
County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is a transformational project for Lancashire. These proposals would bring a boost to Morecambe and the surrounding area, as well as benefits further afield for Lancashire and the north west.
“We’ve been working with Eden for some time to understand their plans and how we can help make any journey for visitors to the site, whether by car, bicycle or public transport; as easy and sustainable as possible.
“These are exciting times and we’re proud to be directly involved in helping to make this happen.”
• Eden Project North in Morecambe can be viewed on the City Council website and searching for planning application number 21/01113/FU
Upcoming monthly forum sessions
All these upcoming one-hour community conversations about Eden Project North are hosted on Zoom, and are free to attend but you need to register using the links below:
- Friday 17 September 2021, 1.30pm – register
September’s discussion will be focused on planning and transport, featuring guest speakers from WSP and their team - Friday 15 October 2021, 1pm – register
- Friday 19 November 2021, 1pm – register
- Friday 17 December 2021, 1pm – register
Like previous conversations, each session will have a specific theme and panel of guest speakers