Beyond Radio has spoken exclusively to the chief executive of the Eden Project for an update on plans to build a new £125m visitor attraction in Morecambe.
David Harland, chief executive of Eden Project International, revealed that:
- The latest timescale for opening the Eden Project North is for a partial opening in 2024 and full opening in 2025
- Eden will be putting in a bid for "the maximum allowable" money from the Government's 'Levelling Up' fund this summer
- Eden could start to have a presence on the Morecambe central promenade site by the autumn of this year
- A "pop-up community activity" is being planned for the site, in partnership with local wildlife trusts and the NHS
- The site could be partially fenced off ahead of construction in early 2023
LISTEN NOW as David Harland talks to Beyond Radio with an Eden Project North update:
The Eden Project North is a planned mixed-use complex on the central promenade, housed in four shell-like domes.
It will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay, and will include plants, art and interactive exhibits, a concert area for live music events, three cafe/restaurants and a visitor centre.
The scheme, which was given planning permission by Lancaster City Council on January 31, still requires government funding of up to £70m to make it a reality.
Mr Harland (pictured above, far right) said Eden bosses had recently met with Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
"He gave us a very good hearing," said Mr Harland.
"He clearly understands the project and that it can deliver the government's agenda around the environment and skills.
"He's not sitting there with a cheque book ready to go. We've got to go through due process.
"But what we've seen in the budget is there is a process around Levelling Up 2 which is, as yet, not completely clear, but more clear than it was a week ago.
"We will put an application in for Levelling Up in this round. The deadline is early July. We're ready to go whenever they make that deadline because we've done so much work already. They are looking for schemes that drive culture and give a sense of place and civic pride. I think we tick those boxes.
"We'll be asking for the maximum that it's possible to ask for.
"We have a variety of different plans that mean we still end up getting to the £125m which is the capital cost. We know that even at £70m, we demonstrate value.
"If it has to be a few pennies less, so be it, we'll make it work somehow.
"We're an optimistic organisation at Eden and we've got a good record of being good stewards of public money. I wouldn't like to count chickens before they are hatched, but I think this is the opportunity here to really nail this so that we can, open at the very least part of it in 2024 for a full opening in 2025."
The initial £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, announced in 2021, will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
Last week, the government revealed its Levelling Up Round 2 prospectus, with details of how to submit bids for cash.
Meanwhile, Mr Harland said he hoped Eden could have a presence on the Morecambe site by autumn 2022.
The central promenade land where the Eden Project North would be built, is owned by Lancaster City Council.
The council has already struck a deal with Eden to transfer the land to them, subject to them achieving the full funding package.
Mr Harland said: "What we don't want to do is put fencing around it and say 'this is ours'.
"What we'll start to do is some sort of pop-up, some sort of community activity on it in the autumn, that would be the aim, whilst we're waiting for the big construction. We have a partnership with the local wildlife trusts and NHS, and we may be able to do something with that, that's an interesting use of the site.
"Then probably early next year if all goes to plan, we will need to fence off part of it, because we're going to have to have a big construction going forward.
"We're really conscious that this is an urban setting and it's pretty visible. So the worst thing would be to not let people have access to it. We'll do it as quickly as we can.
"The gardens at the front next to the War Memorial and up to the Midland will still be open to everyone, we're going to make sure the good people of Morecambe have access to it no matter what."
LISTEN NOW to more from David Harland:
Mr Harland also said there would be job opportunities for anyone wanting to work with Eden on the project.
"There is a sign-up on our website which allows you to get job notifications.
"When things are coming up, we will shout about it.
"There are opportunities coming up for things in project management and design.
"So have a look at the website and if you're really keen, get hold of our project managers (Tim Neary and Emma Critchley)."
The Eden Project team are continuing with monthly online 'Community Conversations' to keep residents informed of progress.
The next one is on Friday April 22 at 1pm. You can register here.
The proposed Eden Project North is earmarked for 4.8 hectares of land on the central promenade in Morecambe.
The successful Eden Project attraction in Cornwall was founded 20 years ago. Eden aims to raise awareness of the natural world, to demonstrate the power of working together to help all living things.
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