Fresh images revealed for Eden Project Morecambe
Updated conceptual images of the eco visitor attraction from architect Grimshaw indicate that the design process is moving forward.
Since achieving consent from Lancaster City Council in 2022, the £125m scheme has progressed little and missed its 2024 construction start deadline.
Eden Project Morecambe will have three domes, reduced from four, that will house a quartet of separate ‘realms’ with different environments and attractions.
The latest images reveal The Realm of the Sun, which will be a “bright, tropical landscape of the near future”, and encourage re-engagement with the wounded natural world.
The defining feature of the central space will be The Elder Tree, a 20-metre-tall interactive sculpture.
In addition, the Realm of the Moon, themed on the tides of Morecambe Bay, will feature a hyper-real rock pool which will speed up cycles of tides, days, and seasons to drive “an ever-changing immersive world”.
The Realm of the Sun. Credit: Grimshaw
Details on the design of the other two realms, the Public Realm and the Four Seasons Garden, are yet to be disclosed.
In March this year, John Pye, who delivered RHS Garden Bridgewater, was announced as the project director for the attraction that planners believe could bring some 760,000 additional visitors to Morecambe annually.
Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, said the scheme was “profoundly important” and was “not just a project for Morecambe, but the whole of the UK”.
He continued: “The design showcases the experience we have developed, its magnitude to deliver on budget and to the timescales that we know everyone is keen for us to meet.
“This design does this without compromising on ambition or vision, and we cannot wait to reveal more about the visitor experience in due course.
“Eden Project Morecambe is going to ultimately become the destination from the community, for the community, and is developed in tandem with our brilliant partners in Morecambe and throughout the North West and will be something for us all to be proud of.”
The central Elder Tree. Credit: Grimshaw
Lancaster City Council expects the project will act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the town, with the hope that it will attract investors to Frontierland, another seafront plot which the local authority believes could be very lucrative.
Cllr Caroline Jackson, Leader of Lancaster City Council, added: “These eye-catching images make the Eden Project Morecambe a reality.
“The new structures reflect our unique and beautiful bay in their design, and we can feel the momentum growing now as the project team comes together.
“It is taking time to get the project right, but it will be worth the wait.”
Credit: Grimshaw
Architect Grimshaw was also behind the Eden Project in Cornwall, which has long been cited as a great success.
Eden Project Morecambe is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University and is due to open in late 2028.
And the value engineering commences, with the long delays and expenditure on consultants the final project risks being greatly diminished.
By Dom
“These eye-catching images make the Eden Project Morecambe a reality” – No, getting it built will make it a reality. Crack on everyone, please.
By BLS Bob
Call me a cynic, but I can’t see how an attraction of this size, in Morecambe, could get enough visitors through the door to cover what will surely be a hefty maintenance budget.
In much of the West End 1/3 of adults have never worked. 10% long term sick or disabled. 1/3 of dwellings converted shared house / bedsit. Half of households don’t have access to a vehicle. Pockets of the West End have no central heating in 1/10 households.
Great CGIs, but a white elephant for £50mn. Could have bought the Arndale, totally transform the town centre, deliver mixed use units, quality housing, leisure, public realm; started a programme of retrofit across the west end and probably have some left over for micro-grants to support retrofit / business start ups.
Great news for WSP, not so sure about the folk of the West End..
By Anonymous
We all appreciate the positive messages from LCC, but one has to wonder how likely this is to ever progress considering the “considerable financial challenges” of the original Eden Project that have been widely reported for several years now.
By stuart meadowcroft
You can’t beat a fresh image. The dates keep going back, no work started…. lets see if it actually happens.
By Ian C
It says that there will be three domes, reduced from four, but the conceptual image only shows 1.
By Anonymous
It’s no good drawing pictures of it it’s about time you got on with it
By Anonymous
Well it certainly needs something it’s a shame how it’s gone backwards it needs quite a lot of money spent before it gets as bad as blackpools got
By Anonymous
I went to a similar thing in Dubai, if the use of the hight is not utilised besides being wasted, it will stop the attraction being so much more better there has to be walking up in heavens in and out of the plants the place is called Dubai Eco Dome. That is the model that should be followed.
By William Cornthwaite
bloody stop moving the goal posts it will never ever get built 😤
By Anonymous
Just get on with it and planning and counsellors stop playing politics it would be better to drive it forwards stop paying consultants . There is already one built just do a carbon copy. Has know body got any balls to make it happen
By Anonymous
Morecambe?????
By BuildaBear