MP "absolutely thrilled" as Budget confirms Eden Project Morecambe funding will be honoured

Money to help pay for the Eden Project Morecambe will be honoured by the new government, it was confirmed in today's Budget.

There had been fears from some local people that funding for schemes such as Eden Project Morecambe might be cut or scrapped altogether, ahead of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer's first Budget today.

But Rachel Reeves' Budget papers said that funding for "core Levelling Up fund projects" such as Eden would go ahead as planned.

Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said she was "absolutely thrilled" at the news.

"I never doubted that the Chancellor would make good on her promise to my constituents and seeing it in black and white feels fantastic," said Ms Collinge.

“My focus now is to ensure that Eden works for local people.

"I will work to make sure local businesses benefit from the construction, the supply chain and the wider economic growth that Eden will bring, whilst also focusing on transport and housing needs for local people.”

Lizzi Collinge MP is pictured below.

The previous Conservative government pledged £50m towards the £100m attraction, in January 2023. So far £5m of this has been paid out.

Autumn Budget papers, released today, said that the Labour government was "confirming funding for MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) core Levelling Up Fund projects – providing £1bn in 2025-26 to revitalise high streets, town centres and communities".

It also said that the government was "minded to cancel" other unfunded Levelling Up culture and capital projects, announced by the Conservatives in the spring, but will “consult with potential funding recipients before making a final decision”.

Concerns for the Eden funding grew when in July, Rachel Reeves gave a speech to the House of Commons pledging to "restore economic stability" after revealing £22bn of "unfunded pressures inherited from the previous government".

She announced £5.5bn of savings this year and £8.1bn next year to tackle the overspend, scrapping several projects from the previous Tory administration.

A Government Spending Review was also announced, alongside a "set of non-negotiable fiscal rules and further difficult decisions on tax and spending" to be announced in October.

But a spokesperson for Eden Project Morecambe partners Lancaster City Council said in July: “Eden Project Morecambe was announced as the recipient of £50m in government funding and there is no suggestion that this, or other projects in receipt of similar funding, is affected by the recent change in Government.

"The project continues to make progress."

Councillor Phillip Black, leader of Lancaster City Council, said this week: “I am delighted that as part of the budget announcements it has been confirmed that the full £50m of government funding for Eden Morecambe will be released, of which £5m has already been made available to Eden to initiate the delivery phase of the project.  

"The new government has confirmed its continued commitment to Eden Morecambe and ministers recognise the enormous benefits that Eden will bring to Morecambe, Lancashire and the wider North West.

“This is a major milestone along the road to making Eden Morecambe a reality. This final funding sign-off from the government is the signal that private, charitable and philanthropic partners have been waiting for to trigger their pledges for the matched funding. This is a moment that will light the blue touch paper -  and speed us along the road to delivery. It’s really exciting stuff!

“It’s thanks to the hard work, vision and determination of many partners, involved over many years, that a project which inspires so much confidence has reached this key stage. Eden is an exemplar of partnership working, and all partners are continuing to work hard to bring this transformational project together ready for a grand opening in early 2028.”

In August, a business case for the project was presented to the new Labour government 

Eden chief Si Bellamy (below) said a team of "world class designers" was being appointed.

He said that initial on-site work will be further "ground investigations", expected to take place some time between November and March 2025, and the latest estimated opening date is 2028, with actual construction work likely to begin in 2025/6.

What is the Eden Project Morecambe?

The proposed Eden Project Morecambe is earmarked for 4.8 hectares of land on the central promenade in Morecambe, near the Midland hotel.

The mixed-use complex will be housed in shell-like domes and will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay.

The facility is set to include plants, art and interactive exhibits, a 6,000 capacity concert area for live music events, three cafe/restaurants and a visitor centre. 

It will include:

• Above the Bay/The Realm of the Sun: an environment filled with plants and art exhibits, showcasing natural abundance and the rhythms of life linked to the sun.
• Below the Bay/The Realm of the Moon: an immersive series of theatrical experiences that bring to life lunar rhythms and tides.
• The Natural Observatory: the home of Eden Project Morecambe's research and education programmes.

There will be "groundbreaking immersive experiences" and "a beautiful and sustainable architectural design".

It has been estimated that the Eden Project Morecambe would pull 740,000 visitors annually, as well as providing around 300 high-quality green jobs, plus more than 1,000 additional new jobs supported in the region.

The existing UK Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall has transformed the region's economy since opening in 2000.

The new Eden attraction will be located on the former site of the Bubbles/Dome/Super Swimming Stadium leisure complex with the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel its near neighbours.

Eden Project Morecambe will cost £100m, £50m of which was secured from the previous UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The remaining £50m will be sourced from private and philanthropic funds, which Eden bosses say is in ‘advanced stages’ of being finalised.

The next Eden Community Conversation will be online on Tuesday November 5 at 1.30pm. You can register HERE.

Read more: INTERVIEW: ‘We are now in delivery mode’ – Eden chief expresses confidence over Morecambe attraction as more funding confirmed - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEWS: Residents speak out after hearing latest update on Eden Project Morecambe - Beyond Radio

Opening date for Eden Project Morecambe now "edging into 2027/28" - Beyond Radio