Ambitious proposals for Morecambe’s Eden Project North have been unanimously approved by planners today.
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A lengthy planning application was discussed by a Lancaster City Council committee, which includes an expectation of up to a million visitors a year into the resort if they are approved at a meeting at Morecambe Town Hall.
The plans also indicate hundreds of jobs are expected to be created to cope with the anticipated up to 4,000 visitors a day.
“Eden Project North will be a ticketed visitor attraction including a mix of entertainment and educational facilities provided within four large shell-like superstructures, connected to the ground by a lower structure that wraps around the building, and enhanced by areas of high-quality open space and landscaping.
“It will include exhibits, performance space, learning, play and immersive experiences within the development, alongside three café-restaurants, a visitor centre and retail space.
“The proposed development comprises a major new mixed-use attraction. It will combine a range of indoor and outdoor experiences, all based on connecting people with Morecambe.
“Within these venues, there will be a range of uses that fall within a combination of commercial, business and service classes, learning and on-residential institutions and local community uses.''
Health and well-being of people, the natural environment, plants and art exhibits, theatrical experiences and a Natural Observatory, incorporating the home of Eden Project North’s research and education programmes, are all included in the application.
It’s hoped the attraction will be ready to open in 2024 with a building period of two years. The development will be able to accommodate 4,000 visitors per day with a maximum of 750 visitors per hour at peak times. There are plans to directly employ around 390 full-time equivalent employees with up to 280 employees on-site at any one time.
The plans state the core hours of operation of the main site will be between 9am to 9pm daily outside summer periods, extending to 9am to midnight during summer months.
In addition, a 6,000-person capacity outdoor arena is included in the proposals, with up to eight late-evening events proposed to be held each year during summer.
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