An announcement about whether the Eden Project North in Morecambe will receive a crucial £50m funding boost is due over the next few days, Beyond Radio understands.
Sources have told us that the announcement is due imminently although there has been no official confirmation either way as yet.
Supporters of the project received a positive sign when on Saturday, The Daily Mirror reported that Eden North was "expected to get the go-ahead".
The national newspaper said the £50m of Levelling Up funding would be unveiled this week and would allow the project to move to its next phase.
In response, a spokesperson for the Eden Project told Beyond Radio they'd had no indication of when an announcement on the fund might be made, beyond what the government has stated publicly.
The government has said that decisions on successful bids for the Levelling Up Round 2 cash would be made by the end of the year.
Lancaster City Council announced in August that they had put in the bid to fund the planned eco-attraction in Morecambe.
On Wednesday, deputy leader Councillor Kevin Frea told fellow councillors at the full Lancaster City Council meeting at Morecambe Town Hall, that the council had not yet heard any news about whether the bid had been successful.
Many other parts of the UK have submitted bids for the grants, and it is hoped that Eden will be one of two successful bids in the 'culture and heritage investment' category.
It has been estimated that the Eden Project North could pull 740,000 visitors to Morecambe annually.
It would combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay, and will include plants, art and interactive exhibits, a concert area for live music events, three cafe/restaurants and a visitor centre.
Around 300 high-quality green jobs would be directly created by Eden Project North, plus more than 1,000 additional new jobs supported in the region.
The Eden team hope to be on site to begin work early next year, should their bid be approved.
The Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall has transformed the region's economy since opening in 2000.
A Government contribution of £50m would form half of the projected £100m cost of building the eco-attraction on the central Promenade, with the remainder of the funds coming from private and philanthropic sources.
Partners working with the Eden Project on Eden Project North are Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Lancaster University.
Planning permission was unanimously granted by Lancaster City Council in January.
Friends from Morecambe to take on Ultra Marathon for brave toddler
Firefighters and swim centre team give key water safety message on Morecambe school visit
Police probe after stolen motorbike being ridden dangerously found in Morecambe
Man arrested in Lancaster after bridge jump hoax call
Local hospice wins national award for Will donation campaign
Cash boost for babies and families at Royal Lancaster Infirmary after fundraising at local golf club
Morecambe’s Pride in Place Board give update on West End investment programme
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
