The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken about the plans for the Eden Project North as a crunch decision on funding looms ever closer.
Mr Sunak confirmed that a decision on a £50m bid for government cash to help fund the new Morecambe facility is imminent, during Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament earlier today.
David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, asked him "Prime Minister, when are we going to get the Eden Project North?"
Mr Sunak replied: "I think the whole House knows that my hon. Friend has been a passionate campaigner for Eden North for some time.
"I was pleased to work with him in my previous role.
"He knows I cannot comment on any specific bid, but I know that the Secretary of State will be making these decisions by the end of the year, and I wish him and everyone involved in the project every success."
Speaking afterwards, Mr Morris (pictured below) said: "As we near the end of the decision-making process for the Levelling Up Round 2 funding, I wanted to make sure Eden Project North was on the top of the Government agenda.
"We have a fantastic project, with regional not just local impact and a strong business case and I have no doubt we will be successful in securing government investment when this funding is announced shortly. Watch this space."
Related Stories: Confirmed: £50m bid for Eden Project North funding goes in - Beyond Radio
Lancaster City Council announced in August it had put in a bid for £50m to the government to help fund the Eden Project North, a major eco visitor attraction, education and events centre planned for Morecambe's central promenade.
The government has announced it will award £50m to two successful culture and heritage-themed projects from around the UK during this, the second round of Levelling Up bids.
A contribution of £50m would form half of the projected £100m cost of building Eden Project North, with the remainder of the funds coming from private and philanthropic sources.
Alongside Lancaster City Council, the other partners working on Eden Project North are Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Lancaster University.
Annual visitor numbers were projected to be 740,000.
Planning permission for Eden Project North was unanimously granted by Lancaster City Council in January.
The planned eco-attraction on Morecambe's central promenade will 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.
The Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall has transformed the region's economy since opening in 2000.
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