You’ve probably heard of the Eden Project at Bodelva in Cornwall. Eden Project North is an ambitious plan to create a second, similar type of attraction at Morecambe. Near to the Fylde Coast, it will be another great reason to visit this neck of the woods!
Fantastic Funding News!
On 19 January 2023, exciting news was shared — that The Eden Project has been awarded £50m in the second round of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund – to build the new Eden Project Morecambe in Lancashire.
This vital funding allows the project to move into its next phase.
- The process of finalising the remaining funds from private and philanthropic sources will now begin.
- Preparatory ground work will now be undertaken on the site on the Morecambe seafront. It’s an important prelude to construction beginning.
- Next steps, including updates on consultation, construction and recruitment will be announced in due course.
- A series of revamped community engagement events will also be launched in the coming months.
What is Eden Project North?
Back in the day, Morecambe had a motto ‘Beauty surrounds and health abounds’.
The aim of Eden Project North is to create a year-round destination to combine indoor and outdoor experiences. It will connect people with the internationally-significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay, and enhancing wellbeing.
The striking design of Eden Project North will complement the rich architectural heritage of Morecambe. Eden Norths close neighbours are the Grade II* listed Midland Hotel and the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens. Eden continues to work closely with both, as well as the RNLI. The Morecambe lifeboat station is just off the promenade by the proposed Eden site.
Reimagining the Seaside
Eden Project North will reimagine the seaside resort for the 21st century. The application states: “Eden Project North will be a ticketed visitor attraction. Including a mix of entertainment and educational facilities provided within four large shell-like superstructures. They’re connected to the ground by a lower structure that wraps around the building, and enhanced by areas of high-quality open space and landscaping.
“It will include exhibits, performance space and learning. Play and immersive experiences within the development, alongside three café-restaurants, a visitor centre and retail space.
The ambition is to be open in 2024, with a two year build time.
It’s creating a day out that inspires a sense of wonder and a connection with the natural world. The team responsible for the first Eden Project in Cornwall are delivering it. Morecambe is one of the key projects in Eden’s plans to expand around the UK and the world.
Enter the Magical World…
At the heart of it are large, indoor iconic pavilions, similar to those at the original Eden Project. It’s also in a location of internationally-recognised scientific importance. The pavillions will host exhibits, performance and learning. Play, immersive experiences and world class horticulture. Art, food, drinks and retail.
You’ll leave with amazing memories, after learning a lot in a fun environment that’s made you think…
The sea-shell-shaped pavilions will host:
- Bay: Explore the natural abundance and the rhythms of life linked to the sun. How they are linked to health, wellbeing and the environment.
- Above the Bay: an environment filled with plants and art exhibits.
- Below the Bay: an immersive series of theatrical experiences bringing lunar rhythms and tides to life.
- The Natural Observatory: the home of Eden Project North’s research and education programmes.
The flowing, architectural design, external spaces and landscaping link Eden Project North to Morecambe Bay and the town.
The Eden team is working closely with its regional partners and local people. The aim is to ensure this venue truly embodies the place that’s inspired it. Regional partners are:
- the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership,
- Lancaster University,
- Lancashire County Council,
- Lancaster City Council.
Eden Project North aims to help Morecambe reclaim its position as a resort for the 21st Century. All built around a rejuvenated message: ‘Beauty Surrounds, Health Abounds and Nature Astounds’.
Progress at Eden Project North
Planning Application Progress
January 2022 is a landmark moment for this multi-million pound project. Plans have been formally submitted for Eden Project North. They’re also now public, with Lancaster City Council expected to formally consider the proposal on 31 January 2022.
In March 2021 the Eden Project North team announced a planning application is set to be submitted this summer. If successful, the earliest that work could start on site would be January 2022. There’s likely to be activity before then, with trial holes and test pits being dug on site.
The planning application itself is a huge piece of work, costing well over £1m. It involves a big team of around 30 people, made up of specialists and stakeholders.
£1.2m Funding Deal
In December 2020, the Eden Project received £1.2m from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to fund the development work needed to prepare a planning application for Eden Project North. The funding is part of the Lancashire Growth Deal.
The money will fund the next stage of the design work, further developing the content of the project. It will fund the environmental impact and sustainable transport work required for planning consent.
Eden aims to complete this work in time to submit a planning application in 2021, with the project set to open to the public in 2024.
David Harland is Chief Executive of Eden Project International. He said: “We are hugely grateful to the LEP for their longstanding support of our Eden Project North vision. This generous funding enables us to progress the planning application, bringing Eden Project North ever closer to reality.”
Steve Fogg is Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. He said: “Eden is an international brand which will not only attract visitors to the area, but will create significant job opportunities directly and indirectly in our local supply chains. The project will inject a much-needed boost in the confidence of some of our key sectors. The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted them. We’re pleased to invest some of our growth deal funding to help ensure this project happens in Lancashire.”
Joint Working
Lancaster University is collaborating closely with Eden to realise the opportunities of Eden Project North.
In May 2020, Eden and Lancaster University announced the first joint appointment of Professor Robert Barratt as Eden North Chair of Education and Engagement, with a particular focus on developing the innovative Morecambe Bay Curriculum in partnership with schools and FE Colleges across the area.
Economic Benefit
A business case submitted in 2020 to the Government presented Eden Project North as a key driver of the UK’s post-Covid green recovery.
The report making the case for £70m of Government funding, shows that it’s “shovel-ready”. Able to deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits for Lancashire and the wider North West region. Plus contributing to the wider levelling-up agenda and the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan.
- Around one million people a year expected to visit
- Directly employ more than 400 people.
- The business case estimates a visitor spend of more than £200m per year in the region (not including money spent at Eden Project North)
- This would support an additional 1,500 jobs in the area.
The business case projects that the eventual cost of Eden Project North will be £125m. Eden is seeking a mixture of private and public funds to add to central Government funding.
Find out More
Find out more from their website
You can join monthly community forums, hosted on Zoom. They’re open to anyone interested in hearing the latest on Eden Project North and asking questions of the Eden team and its partners.
They cover broad aspects of the Eden Project North proposals, featuring speakers from Eden, its partners in the project and other connected organisations.
While you’re here…
Have a look at the homepage of the Visit Fylde Coast website for more of the latest updates.
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