£100m Eden Project Morecambe to take major step forward next week
Lancaster City Council is expected to give its backing to the potentially town-transforming attraction for the second time, having granted consent for the original, larger version of the scheme more than four years ago.
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the £100m Eden Project Morecambe would be constructed on the 11-acre former Bubbles Leisure Complex and Superdome site on the town’s promenade and has long been thought of as a potential catalyst for Morecambe’s revival.
The project underwent a “strategic recalibration” last year on viability grounds. While the version of the scheme approved in 2022 featured four domes totaling just shy of 200,000 sq ft, the built elements of the latest iteration total less than 100,000 sq ft.
Meanwhile, the external spaces – including the 1.5-acre Bring me Sunshine Garden – have been enhanced.
The version of the attraction up for approval next week features two domed eco-systems, the Realm of the Sun and the Realm of the Moon.
The two ‘shells’ would be connected by the 7,750 sq ft Metronome building – the arrival point for guests.
The 18,300 sq ft Realm of the Moon, covered by darkened paneling, would feature the Tidal Theatre experience – a simulated cycle of day and night expected to emulate the rising and falling tides of Morecambe Bay.
A hyper-real forest, with live plants fused with artistic installations, kinetic sculptures, and immersive experiences, would be found within the larger 41,700 sq ft Realm of the Sun.
The Rhythm Garden and All Seasons Garden, also feature. Rhythm Gardens, the larger of the two, would be an open-air space capable of hosting events and performances.
Lancaster City Council has recommended the project for approval when its planning committee meets next Monday. A planning report states that the scheme could have “far-reaching environmental, social and economic benefits” and has generated “genuine optimism” about what the development could do for the town.
The original approved application can be viewed using the planning reference number 21/01113/FUL. For the latest proposals, use 25/01118/VCN on Lancaster City Council’s planning portal. Ridge, TEP, and WSP are advising on the scheme.
Applicant Eden Project Morecambe is owned by the Eden Trust educational charity, which is behind a similar scheme in St Austell, Cornwall.
The company is delivering the Morecambe scheme with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, and Lancaster University, and expects it to welcome 500,000 visitors a year once open in 2028.
The complexity of the project and various economic headwinds have held back delivery to date. Eden Project, which appointed a dedicated project director to see the scheme through last year, is confident of a start on site this year.
The fronts great , town needs tidying up , miss some kind of water area hot baths remedial etc . Push ahead with the Eden Project and get a great place moving .
By Caravan owner
Wonderful, I truly feel it is an inspirational project and I look forward to watching progress. Educationally inspiring
By Karen regular visitor
Good luck
By Peter
Why is it costing £100 million when the new version is only half the size.
By Anonymous
This project has lied to the people of Morecambe and far beyond for many years and as a staunch supporter of the project I like many other locals have a new level of negativity. Meeting after meeting with the public demonstrated no strategic reevaluation was taking place, the representative from Eden was always upbeat and a pleasure to listen to. Oddly he was replaced at the last meeting which seemed to roll out a legion of suits. Unfortunately I have joined the believe it when I see it brigade and will not waste my time attending any further public meetings.
By Anonymous
Excellent news
By Stewart
I have visited the Eden project in Cornwall. It was ok but i would not go again. I think it is overrated.
By John
I will believe it when it starts being built, bearing in mind the difficulties they are having with original one!
By Anonymous
Great news, Lancaster City Council giving go ahead to proposed Eden project in Morcambe! Lots of Happy memories of family days out in Morcambe back in the 1970s Happy mount park was one the places we went with Mum and Dad.. hope it all goes through planning with out any problems. 59 years old now so love to see it Built, finished and open for everyone to enjoy…
By Paul
We keep getting told that large swaithes of the UK coast including low lying areas such as Morecambe are in an ever increasing danger of flooding and coastal erosion. Seems a bit short sighted to be spending millions on something that will be underwater soon ?
By Marky
Seeing is believing…….
By Fi
Am now a fully paid up member of the “believe it when I see it” fraternity.
By Anonymous
I remember swimming in the original outdoor baths, then Bubbles and gigs in the Dome. All gone from this site. Wonder what will be there in c. 10 years time after the Eden project
By Old enough to remember
Hopefully if and when it happens the council will employ someone to clean up the town centre.The Library car park is a disgrace.
By Kay
Hoping that not too much of the £100m will be swallowed up by consultants, specialist advisers, lawyers, accountants, surveyors and all the other ‘suits’ at the trough. If £80m is actually spent building the thing, we’d have got away lightly.
By Eternal Optimist
Sounds good I have been to the other eden project.Problem is once you have been there is nothing to make me wish to go again.There should be something for children to get excited about eg lizards fish small rodents.
By David Campbell
Has the Eden Project got £50M cash right now ?
By Roger Marsh
All well and good if it does get built,but what happens after ,there is nothing to see if you have children, Morecambe needs a total face lift and more attractions for families and also it depends how much they will charge ,in my appinion its going to be another Blobby gate mistake.
By Anonymous
Oh and bring back M&S
By Andrea Taylor
First a big loud ta da. Then a quieter ta-da. Then an abandoned wreck of a building site when the money runs out. And the local tax payers living with the mess and then funding the tidy up.
By Anonymous
It will be a brilliant achievement and a feather in Morecombes council cap and an amazing attraction for un uplift for Morecombe and can only be a major uplift for the Town
By [email protected]
I hope that this works for Morecambe. The problem is after visiting this,the facilities are poor,the shops are dire and the restaurants dated. I might visit this but then go to Lancaster afterwards, or Kendal, which both have better options.
By Elephant
Brilliant!
By Anonymous
This doesn’t clarify if all the funding has been secured as yet, we have had this carrot dangled too Morecambe and Lancaster for what is nearly a decade doing untold damage to residents, jobs, businessess, property sales and rentals with no progress on the ground.
I’m quite sure I’m not the only one who is quite tired off hearing the same reteric.
By Darren Telford
It will be great for Morecambe 🤩👍😁
By Stephen copley
So glad to see this project is all still going ahead as I believe it will do much to regenerate the whole area encouraging new businesses to start up, and also help in drawing more visitors to the region..
By Gill
At this rate Eden project Dundee will be built before Morecambe. Just build it . It’s as though the council will do anything to stop Morecambe from having a wonderful feature in the town . It benefits both the town and the city
By Anonymous
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE JUST GET ON WITH IT!!!!!
By .