Eden Project North secures planning approval
Now all that is needed to make the £125m Morecambe visitor attraction a reality is funding.
Lancaster City councillors unanimously approved the application for Eden Project North, which would turn the 11-acre Seafront Headland site into a family-friendly eco-destination that showcases the relationships between animals, humans, plants and the environment.
Still, not all is clear sailing for the scheme. Developer Eden Project International had requested £70m in government funding for the project in 2021 but failed to secure a mention in the budget that year.
“It’s no secret we were hoping the government would provide funding for Eden Project North in this Budget, but we are not viewing this as a major setback,” said Eden Project International chief executive David Harland at the time.
Harland had said that he was “as confident as ever” that the project presented a strong case for investment and that Eden Project International would continue its mission to fund the scheme. In September last year, the company submitted its planning application for the attraction.
After the application was approved, Harland released a statement.
“The project is now definitively shovel-ready and a compelling financial case has been made to government,” he said. “We are primed and ready to create this beacon to a green and sustainable future, be part of levelling up and drive economic and social enhancements across the region.
“While we are incredibly proud of what we and our partners have achieved so far, we now need UK government support to quickly bring this to fruition and maintain momentum,” he continued.
The approved application calls for nearly 200,000 sq ft of development, including four shell-like dome structures to house exhibitions, multiple gardens and a visitor centre with a café and store. Grimshaw designed the project, with TEP acting as landscape architect.
Eden Project International estimates the Morecambe facility will attract an average of 760,000 visitors per year and will boost the area’s economy by around £47.3m.
Eden Project North reimagines Morecambe as a British seaside resort for the 21st century. Credit: via Eden Project International
Eden Project International partnered with Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership on the endeavour.
“Eden Project North promises to be the most significant project in our district for a generation,” said Lancaster City Council leader Cllr Caroline Jackson. “It will provide huge benefits to our economy through a commitment to local purchasing and creation of good local jobs, as well as shining a light on sustainable regeneration.”
WSP supported the scheme by acting as planning, highways, environmental, and strategic advisory consultants.
“This project will be an aspirational, flagship development for the North West, providing a platform to educate future generations about the importance of sustainability,” said WSP planning director Dan Jackson.
“It presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of Morecambe and the North West region as a whole, and will support jobs and boost economic prosperity within the community and beyond. We’re delighted that members have approved the application.”
The development team for Eden Project North includes Buro Happold as civils, utilities, engineer, and MEP consultant. Schlaich Bergermann Partner is the structural engineer.
Other consultants include 3Adapt, Art of Fact, Charcoal Blue, Rider Levett Bucknall and Trivandi.
Eden Project North is one of Place North West’s “schemes to watch out for in 2022”. See what other developments made the cut.
If the government is serious about levelling up they should provide funding for this project.
By Meeseeks
I always doubted whether this would get built, and while I congratulate them on getting to the shovel ready stage I see that they haven’t got the money to build it. Am I missing something, does planning permission unlock as yet undeclared funding?
By Martin
So all they need now is 125 million pounds?
By Anonymous
All I will say is “MR Blobby Theme park”
By Nick
It’s possible to see the Treasury giving part of the money – doubt that the Treasury will make a special case for all of the £70M given the rest of the asks in the north. Maybe part funding can be secured with the rest coming from the “County Deal” that’s been mooted for Lancashire. The local council may be asked to chip in a good chunk as well. PP is a good milestone though.
By Sceptic
Back in the day I suggested to a senior council officer that these would be good people to have on the Garden Festival site. I argued that they’d benefit from a northern presence and suggested it might be worth the council’s while giving them a call – not least because they could so readily tap into Liverpool’s booming tourism market. Pretty obvious, huh?
He did nothing about it. Nor did Invest Liverpool or whatever it was called at the time. And then, lo and behold, it does come to the north… Liverpool Council: missing open goals since time immemorial.
By Scourge of Rome