Eden Project secures funding for new attraction in Dundee

Tuesday, 15 March 2022 12:07

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

How the Eden Project in Dundee could look.

The Eden Project has announced it has secured funding it needs for a new attraction in Dundee.

A spokesperson for the Eden Project said they were "excited" at securing £7.6m in cash for the next stage of the Dundee scheme, which will fund the project through design and planning to the construction phase.

Meanwhile Eden still plans to build a £125m visitor attraction in Morecambe as well but this remains dependent on the UK Government agreeing to part-fund the project.

Planning permission was secured for the Morecambe scheme in January, with up to £75m of government cash required to help it become a reality.

BREAKING: Ambitious Eden Project North plans unanimously approved - Beyond Radio

The Eden Project in Dundee is set to be built on a former gasworks overlooking the River Tay.

A spokesperson for the Eden Project said: "The Eden Project and its partners have agreed a funding package that will pay for the next stages of work on the world-class attraction.

"The £7.6m injection into the project will fund detailed design and development and completing the work required for a planning application. This is effectively everything needed to get the project ready for construction.

"This work follows the completion of the Eden Project Dundee pollination study and masterplan, which established the economic, social and environmental case for the project and started exploring design and content. A series of community programmes in Dundee, beginning with the planting of wildflower meadows, is already underway."

The Scottish National Party government has already said it will back the project.

The Eden Project already has a successful attraction in Cornwall and is planning to build new ones all over the world, including overlooking Morecambe Bay on the central promenade.

Earlier this year, David Harland, chief executive of Eden Project International, spoke to Beyond Radio about the Morecambe plans.

"One of the things the government wanted to know is, are we going to get planning permission? We've ticked that box.

"We won't stop. We've got 6-9 months design work, then we hope we'll be putting the first spade in the ground by the end of the year, and opening in autumn 2024. That's the plan.

"We are looking to make a big impact. This should put Morecambe back on the map where it deserves to be. Let's get people back here!"

See here for more information on the New Edens.