Earmarked for a prime waterfront location in Morecambe, the Eden Project North has moved a step forward after an incredibly successful and positive public consultation, whilst a new partnership is on the cards with another regeneration project on the waterfront.

A planning application for the proposed £85m eco-friendly tourist attraction is on target to be submitted in 2020 – and on completion it is expected to attract more than 750,000 visitors annually, although it shall be designed to accommodate up to 1m visitors with a daily capacity of 4,000. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

The scheme – set to feature at our Lancashire Future Development Plans Event next year – has received £350,000 in funding to date from:

  • Lancashire Enterprise Partnership
  • Lancaster University
  • Lancashire County Council
  • Lancaster City Council
  • Government

Despite this funding it’s likely that more Government support will be needed to bring the £85m vision to fruition – potentially in part through the Government’s £281m Stronger Towns Fund. But Eden Project has received support from “across the political spectrum” as whichever way the General Election on December 12th goes they’re confident that the backing will continue.

The project has received a huge boost from the exceptional public feedback with “the majority of the 2,500 people who attended the events overwhelmingly” supporting it – and if the trend continues and the scheme goes ahead the attraction could be started on site in 2021 with completion in 2023.

There has also been a suggestion that the Eden Project North could work in partnership with a restored Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay. Si Bellamy, Head of Eden Project International and speaker at our Lancashire Development Plans Event, has recently met with key representatives from Save Grange Lido, Cumbria Tourism and South Lakeland District Council.

Of a potential partnership he said: “Sometimes you go somewhere that is too precious to lose and Grange Lido is one of those. It’s a most remarkable pool in a stunning natural place and I’m excited to see the plans and imagine how this could work with Eden Project North.”

Janet Carter of Save Grange Lido – who’re working on regenerating the site – said the Lido could be timed perfectly to open at the same time as the Eden Project North, something she described as “a game-changer” for the region.

The open-air swimming pool has been derelict since 1993 but is now the focus of a regeneration programme. South Lakeland District Council is spending £2m on the first phase which will incorporate the restoration of buildings and funds will then be raised for phase two which involved the renovation of the Grade II listed pool and the creation of a gym, spa and restaurant.

Learn more about this project by speaking at Head of Eden Project International at our Lancashire Development Plans Event. Click here for details >

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