Council leader defends plans for "smaller" Eden Project Morecambe

The leader of Lancaster City Council has defended the plans for a "smaller" Eden Project in Morecambe.

Councillor Caroline Jackson said a recent "rethink" of the project was necessary due to "financial circumstances that we’ve all endured".

Councillor Jackson was speaking about changes to the design of Eden Project Morecambe which were announced in June. 

The original concept for the new Eden attraction on the Promenade was for two larger domes and a smaller one on the site, but this has been changed to one large dome and a flatter mussel-shaped building next to it.

The Eden Project has said: "There is a decrease in building height and footprint, but the developed design is more efficient and uses its height to maximise the visitor experience."

Councillor Andrew Gardiner, leader of the Conservatives on Lancaster City Council, questioned the leader about the plans for Eden during a council meeting on Wednesday.

"It’s claimed by the government that the council has asked for £16m towards the Eden Project...when do the council expect to have receipt of this money?" he asked.

He also asked: "Have Eden put a penny of their own money into this project that has not come from government?"

Councillor Jackson, of the Greens, replied: "We have not asked the government for £16m."

Below, Councillor Jackson speaking at Wednesday's meeting.

Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, then said: "The position is, and always has been, that the council has been awarded £50m (by the government) towards the project.

"Excellent progress is being made to ensure that money is available for the project. In terms of Eden’s position...it’s more appropriate to ask Eden."

Councillor Gardiner (below) then asked about the reduction in size of the planned project.

Councillor Jackson replied: "It has to remain a project the government considers to be a project that will bring to Morecambe opportunities, extra jobs and regeneration of the economy.

"It also has to be built within its financial envelope which is £100m, £50m from government and £50m match (funds).

"I’m sure Eden would like to raise more than that.

"There’s a project there that government still considers consists of opportunities to make a real difference in Morecambe which is something we all want to do.

"You’re asking me why under the financial circumstances that we’ve all endured, it has had to be rethought.

"Everyone has had to rethink under these circumstances of less money.

"The actual plans are still exciting, innovatory and likely to cause that wow factor that Eden has managed to create in Cornwall.

"That’s what’s wanted, isn’t it?

"We want people to come to Morecambe and come to enjoy all the things that Morecambe has to offer, not just Eden Project, and we want to see new hotels, more restaurants, and all those things that make Morecambe thrive, and we want it to spill over into Lancaster, don’t we?

"We want people to come to Lancaster, enjoy our heritage.

"Is it a bit smaller than when we started? Yes. It has had to deal with the difficulties of circumstances as a result of financial changes.

"They’ve worked hard at it. They’ve still got an attraction that we’re looking forward to seeing."

An image showing how the inside of Eden Project Morecambe will look

FUNDING

The Conservative government awarded £50m of Levelling Up money to the project in 2023. In 2024, the new Labour government said the funding would be honoured. Eden has said the remainder of the funds would be raised from private and philanthropic sources.

John Pye, project director of Eden Project Morecambe, speaking at a 'Community Conversation' held at Lancaster and Morecambe College in September, said there was still a £2m "funding gap" to be filled to finalise the £100m cost of the project.

Mr Pye said that alongside £50m from the government, a further £13m had been secured from "trust and foundation money" and the project also had a "facility to draw down on a loan" which he said was standard for projects of this type.

"There is a gap of around £2m that we need to fundraise for, and we are heading towards (filling) the gap by the end of the year," he said.

Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, said the team was "fundraising like crazy" and called for local businesses and philanthropists to invest in the scheme, saying "we are very, very close to closing the fundraising gap".

The team said they still intend to deliver the project to its £100m budget, despite rising materials costs over the past few years.

Lancaster City Council, who are one of the project partners, are the accountable body for government funds.

EDEN PROJECT LATEST

The Eden Project Morecambe is a new £100m attraction, scheduled to be built on Morecambe's central Promenade.

The land was previously occupied by The Dome entertainment venue and the Bubbles leisure centre, and prior to that the Morecambe Leisure Park outdoor swimming pool and the Super Swimming Stadium.

The project has been described as "the greatest show of nature’s rhythms, where time is sped up, slowed down or paused - revealing the wonder, rhythms and threats to the health and well-being of people, Morecambe Bay, and planet".

As well as exhibitions themed on the natural world and Morecambe Bay, the attraction will include public gardens, a 6000-capacity concert venue and a restaurant.

Construction work is due to start in 2026 with a targeted opening date of late 2028.

Below, an image of the entrance to Eden Project Morecambe

Eden Project is an educational charity and social enterprise with a global mission to create and build relationships between people and the natural world to demonstrate the power of working together for the benefit of all living things.

The first Eden Project was founded over 20 years ago, transforming a former China clay pit in Cornwall into an immersive experience of plants and people. 

Last month, it was announced that a 'Bring Me Sunshine' garden to be part of Eden Project Morecambe - named with a nod to the town's favourite son the comedian Eric Morecambe - will go on display at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show next May.

This will offer a first glimpse to the public of the new visitor attraction.

After the show, the garden will become the first feature at Eden Project Morecambe, forming part of a 1.6-acre public community garden.

Work to install the garden will follow the show in summer 2026, with plans to officially open to the public as it bursts into spring colour in 2027.

Also in October 2025, an updated planning application went in for the Eden Project Morecambe

The altered plans - amendments to the design and layout of the already-approved development - were to reflect changes to the scheme announced since 2022, when planning permission was granted by Lancaster City Council.

Ground investigation work took place at the site in September.

Read more:

First glimpse of Eden Project Morecambe to go on display at Chelsea Flower Show - Beyond Radio

Eden Project seeks green light for design changes to £100m Morecambe attraction - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEW: Eden Project Morecambe boss gives in-depth update - Beyond Radio

Digger moves in as investigation work starts at Eden Project Morecambe site - Beyond Radio

PHOTOS: Latest images of the Eden Project Morecambe revealed - Beyond Radio