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

Work has begun on ground investigations at the Eden Project Morecambe site.

A digger was on site on Monday, when the work was described as "a big step forward for Morecambe" ahead of construction getting under way on the new £100m attraction.

An Eden Project spokesperson said work is being conducted by North West-based company The LK Group which will "help form a deep understanding of the ground conditions of the site to mitigate risks, streamline planning, and enhance project outcomes".

Work is expected to last three weeks.

Sub-contractor Phil Ithell, from the Cheshire-based P Ithell & Son Plant Hire, was working at the site on Monday lunchtime - digging a small piece of land at the edge of the nearby car park on the central Promenade.

Below, Mr Ithell and his digger at work.

"A large part of the site is reclaimed land, that has been constructed in a series of phases since 1935," said an Eden Project spokesperson.

"Part of this work will include an exploration of a buried sea wall, in order to determine its approximate depth, as well as general buried obstructions from historical site uses such as the Super Swimming Stadium and the Bubbles leisure complex.

"This site investigation work is another crucial step as Eden Project Morecambe builds momentum and coincides with the first recruitment drive for the project."

On Monday, Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, also posted a photo of herself visiting the site (below).

"I was thrilled to visit the Eden Project Morecambe site and see the ground investigation works start," said Ms Collinge.

"It's great to see visible progress on the project following the confirmation of Government money in last year’s Labour Budget.

"I know lots has been going on behind the scenes but it feels great to see something tangible."

Below, the digger at work on Monday.

A spokesperson for Morecambe BID (Business Improvement District), said it was "a big step forward for Morecambe – the preparatory ground investigation have officially started on the Eden Project Morecambe site.

"You may spot the digger on the seafront over the coming weeks as important investigation and planning work gets under way. This phase is all about preparing the site properly before the main build begins.

"It’s another clear sign that Eden is moving from plans on paper to reality on our promenade – a milestone for our town, our businesses, and our community.

"Morecambe’s time is coming – and it starts today.

"Every stage, no matter how small it looks, brings us one step closer to the world-class project our town deserves. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."

The first 'spade in the ground' at the Eden site was in March 2023 when the first initial ground investigations took place.

A spokesperson for Eden said at the time: "The work involves making a number of small bore-holes to allow excavation of soil samples to take place.

"These samples will then be sent for analysis. The analysis of the samples will help inform further detailed design and the future construction phase."

Last month the Eden Project began advertising for four new roles connected to the new Morecambe attraction.

Applications are wanted for fundraising officer, administrator and finance officer, senior project manager, and project engagement and communications officer.

The new positions come after the first Eden Project Morecambe employee, project director John Pye, was appointed earlier this year.

Mr Pye said on Monday: “Today marks a fantastic moment on the road to delivering Eden Project Morecambe and I’m sure the local community will be as excited as we are to see physical activity beginning to take place.

"Site investigation works such as these are a normal and necessary step for a project of this scale and we look forward to progressing further with making Eden Project Morecambe a reality.

“With these works under way and our recruitment process putting more boots on the ground here, we are actively demonstrating the social and economic benefits this project will bring to the community of Morecambe and the surrounding areas – something that will develop even further in the coming months.”

In June, Mr Pye said that "really detailed site investigations" on the land were "likely to happen, probably in the next couple of months".

Below, a CGI image of how the Eden Project Morecambe might look.

Mr Pye said that "early 2026 into summer 2026" would see "real movement on site, the first excitement for everybody".

"I'm putting my neck on the line here but we're very confident that this timeline, subject to horrendous winters, is deliverable," he said.

He also said that amended planning applications for the site were scheduled in September 2025 and would include "lots of information in the public domain we can all take a look at".

Eden Project Morecambe was first given planning permission by Lancaster City Council in January 2022.

The Conservative government pledged £50m towards the scheme in January 2023, as part of Levelling Up. The Labour government then said it would honour core Levelling Up projects, in its October 2024 budget.

Opening of the facility is scheduled for late 2028.

The proposed Eden Project Morecambe, run by the world renowned Eden Project charity, will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University.

The latest in a series of public meetings about plans for the scheme - the Eden Community Conversation - will take place at Lancaster and Morecambe College on Tuesday September 2 from 6pm to 7.30pm.

The event is free to attend, but places need to be reserved HERE.