Grimshaw Architects
The team behind Eden Project in Cornwall have submitted a business case of £70m of government funding to create a northern post of the project in Lancashire.
The new attraction is hoped to open in Morecambe and ‘re-imagine’ the British seaside for the 21st century.
The business case is 140 pages that describe Eden Project North as ‘shovel-ready’ and a ‘key driver of the UK’s post-Covid green recovery’.
The project is also set to deliver ‘significant economic, environmental and social benefits for the wider north-west region, despite the expected costs jumping from £85m forecast to £125m.
The aim of the project is to create a year-round destination on the site of Bubbles, a much-missed swimming pool. The aim is to appeal to lovers of art, science, adventure, play and performance as well as nature.
Around one million visitors are projected to head to the project yearly, once work is complete in 2023.
‘Above the Bay’ will be part of the project, an environment filled with plants and art exhibits while ‘Below the Bay’ will see theatrical experiences bringing the tides and lunar rhythms to life.
Grimshaw Architects
The Natural Sanctuary will also house bookable well-being treatments and The Natural Observatory will house the Eden Project North’s research and education programmes.
More than 400 jobs are set to be created directly and visitor spend is set to contribute more than £200m to the economy annually.
Chief executive David Harland said: “The world has changed beyond measure this year and it is imperative as we come out of the pandemic that our collective focus is on a recovery that stimulates the economy, is environmentally forward-looking and creates meaningful, green-collar jobs.
“Our firm belief is that Eden Project North does all of these things.”
Erica Lewis, the leader of Lancaster city council, said: “As we plan for recovery from the impacts of Covid-19, the benefits the project will bring are more important than ever.”
