Eden outlines visitor attractions at £85m Morecambe site

The head of Eden Project International has revealed details of the different visitor zones planned for the £85m attraction proposed at Morecambe Bay.

Si Bellamy, head of Eden Project International, gave an update on the project at the North Lancs Expo in Lancaster, which is set to combine indoor and outdoor spaces themed around the natural sea and beach environment.

Like the Eden Project in Cornwall, Eden Project North would be built in a series of zones aimed at creating an immersive visitor experience.

These zones would be housed in the mussel shell-shaped domes revealed in pictures of the Grimshaw-designed Eden Project North, linked together with an entrance area known as the Bay Hall.

The Above the Bay area will be filled with plants and art exhibits, showcasing natural abundance and rhythms of life linked to the sun.

Below the Bay will be a series of theatrical experiences based around lunar rhythms and tides.

The Natural Sanctuary will focus on health-giving aspects of the seaside with bookable wellbeing treatments, while the Natural Observatory will be the home of Eden Project North’s research and education programmes.

Eden also plans to create satellite elements on the promenade which runs along Morecambe’s seafront as well as on the sands of the Bay itself.

Bellamy said: “We are very excited to finally be able to reveal some of our ideas for the content and interior of Eden Project North. We know that the community have been keen to hear more and we hope that these new details energise people in Morecambe as much as they have us.”

Eden estimates that Eden Project North will attract around 760,000 visitors per year, but will be designed to accommodate up to a million, with a daily capacity of 4,000 people. The plan is for tickets to be issued for specific times to ensure a smooth flow of visitors through the project.

Eden Project North would have a 4,000-capacity outdoor arena designed for live music and entertainment.

A detailed public and stakeholder consultation is due to start soon and Eden aims to submit a planning application for the project in spring 2020. Eden began the planning process in June this year by submitting its environmental impact assessment scoping report to Lancaster City Council.

The project is due to open in spring 2023, following a two-year construction period.

Eden Project International is working with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Lancaster University, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council to deliver Eden Project North. Each of these has contributed £250,000 towards the cost of designing and planning. This is in addition to £100,000 pledged by the Government.