An Eden Project boss says he "won't stop" pushing forward with plans for a major new tourist attraction in Morecambe now the scheme has been given the green light.
Dave Harland, chief executive of Eden Project International, said he and his team were "very focussed" on getting the government money required to start building the Eden Project North on Morecambe promenade.
Mr Harland (pictured right, with Jo Knight from Lancaster University and his colleagues Dan Jackson and Tim Narey), was speaking to Beyond Radio after planning permission was granted on Monday, having flown in from Bogota, Colombia to attend the meeting at Morecambe Town Hall.
"What a moment!" he said.
"We think this project is going to completely change this area for the better.
"Now the next thing is to make sure we get the money from central government and we're very focussed on that.
"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!"
Click below to listen to our interview with Dave Harland in full:
David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, also attended Monday's planning meeting.
Mr Morris revealed a letter to Boris Johnson, signed by 51 MPs, informing the Prime Minister that planning permission had now been given for the new Morecambe tourist attraction, which could bring one million people per year into the town.
"It's absolutely fantastic...now we've just got to get the funding," said Mr Morris.
"We need a funding stream that would give us between £50-75million, and there isn't one, is the truth of it.
"We would have had it, but for Covid. But, the reality is, we are living in post-Covid times and we are sadly having to raise taxes.
"But Boris Johnson wants to see this happen. So does the Chancellor.
"Eden themselves have £55m to put on the table. Now it's up to government to match that, and I'm confident we are going to get it.
"People used to laugh at me in Parliament for bringing this up. They said it would never happen. However, planning has gone through.
"You can see the level of support and goodwill. Morecambe has taken the step to make this a reality. We just have to get to the stage now of getting the funding and I'm absolutely certain we can."
Click below to listen to our interview with David Morris MP in full:
Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said she felt "excited and relieved" now planning permission has been granted.
"It's ready to go forward, for the government to say they will give us some funding for it," said Councillor Jackson.
"I think it will have a range of benefits; providing jobs, more visitors. Economically (Eden) will source from the local area, so our food makers and manufacturers will be represented. And Eden is already working with schools, inspiring and motivating young people to get out into the environment.
"(The council) will now be supporting this to make sure it works, and work with the community to ensure they have good relationships with Eden and we develop together."
Click below to listen to our interview with Cllr Caroline Jackson in full:
Planning permission was granted after the Lancaster City Council planning committee - made up of a cross-party group of elected councillors - voted unanimously in favour of the proposals.
Earlier, council officers Mark Cassidy and Jen Rehman explained why planners recommended the scheme for approval.
Mr Cassidy said the project provides "an outstanding opportunity to reinvent Morecambe for the 21st century".
He said this had been "an extensive planning process" and that the Eden team had "worked proactively for the best part of two-and-a-half years" with the council on the plans.
Councillors said the proposals were "outstanding".
But there were some concerns, mainly about transport to and from the site.
No on-site parking is proposed, and instead visitors to the Eden Project North will be directed to existing parking spaces in the 'Park and Ride' at Junction 34 of the M6 and Morecambe town centre car parks.
"This is a town centre site so we've worked hard to identify that there are car parking spaces that aren't utilised, that we can use," said Mr Harland.
"We are going to be very clear about where people with accessibility needs can park. Our key thing is, everyone can visit."
Councillor Jackson said: "The plan recognises the difficulties of bringing a lot of people by car and we're going to have to use a range of measures to ensure that doesn't impact on the people of Morecambe.
"The parking scheme they've put forward has very clear controls."
The proposed Eden Project North is earmarked for 4.8 hectares of land on the central promenade in Morecambe.
The mixed-use complex will be housed in four shell-like domes and will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay,.
The facility will include plants, art and interactive exhibits, a concert area for live music events, three cafe/restaurants and a visitor centre.
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.
READ the full Lancaster City Council planning report into the Eden Project North HERE
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