Eden Project North agreed for Morecambe to join Cornwall attraction

For the last two decades tourists from across the UK, and around the world, have come to Cornwall to visit the Eden Project, which celebrated its 20th birthday last year.

However, today (Monday) planning permission was granted for an Eden Project North in Morecambe, Lancashire.

With planning permission now granted, securing funding for Eden Project North is now the major focus of the Eden team. It has submitted a business case to the UK Government, asking for a £70m public investment in the £125m project.

The team says the business case showed that investment would be paid back "many times over" in economic benefit for the region, with Eden Project North directly employing more than 400 people, with an additional 1,500 jobs supported in the region, and a forecast of £200 million per year being injected into the North West economy.

Subject to funding being secured, it is due to open in 2024.

Eden Project North will be set next to the beach in Morecambe

Eden Project North is being delivered by the team behind the first Eden Project here in Cornwall, alongside local partners Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and is one of the key projects in Eden’s plans to expand around the UK and the world.

Eden Project North’s “shell like” domes would be built in timber and covered in a flexible transparent membrane with integrated solar cells. These four shells – known as the Rhythm Machine, the Bay Glade, the Bay Hall and the Natural Observatory – are set in a “dunescape” of landscaped roofing planted with coastal vegetation.

The layout of the domes has evolved since the early stages of design and they now surround the central Four Seasons Garden.

Surrounding the buildings will be a collection of outdoor gardens. These include the Rhythm Garden, which reimagines the existing Bay Arena and the Tide Garden, whose beds spiral down towards a tidal pool at the garden’s centre.

Eden Project North will be situated on the former site of the Bubbles leisure complex, with the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel its near neighbours.

A vision of how the attraction will look

The project will have two restaurants, one on either side of the site, with views across Morecambe Bay.

Visitor flow will be managed with timed ticketing slots and combined travel and admission tickets. Incentives will be offered for those who arrive by walking, cycling or public transport.

Eden said its ambition is for the construction and operations of Eden Project North to go beyond net zero carbon emissions and achieve a net positive environmental position.

The submission of the planning application followed a formal consultation incorporating an online exhibition and in-person events. Feedback from the online consultation revealed that 97% of respondents were in support of Eden Project North.

School visits, educational programming and youth schemes will also be a major part of the Eden Project North offer, as they are in Cornwall.