Eden Project Morecambe receives another £2.5m

The attraction will feature three large shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay

A further £2.5m has been released by the government for Eden Project Morecambe, bringing the total funding to date to £5m.

The eco-visitor attraction, next to Morecambe Bay, was promised £50m of the previous government's Levelling Up fund.

An initial instalment of £2.5m in government money has already been received and the design teams have begun work.

The latest funding release would allow for "vital work to design and deliver the scheme" to be carried out, a Lancaster City Council representative said.

Councillor Catherine Potter said the latest announcement "should provide local people with further confidence in the project that they have been craving".

"It means we can continue to build momentum and undertake the vital work that is needed to deliver the attraction and the benefits it will bring to our communities and local economy," the cabinet member for visitor economy, community wealth building and culture said.

Concerns over funding for the project had been raised after Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly warned of a "black hole" in public finances.

The city council previously said there was "no suggestion" the new government would withdraw any of the promised funding, and they expected ministers to approve the development next month.

Last week deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said she "wants to see it go ahead" but, when pressed by the BBC, would not absolutely confirm or rule out the investment.

The government has since said it would provide clarification on funding plans in due course.

Si Bellamy said the money would help fund "crucial work" needed before construction

The attraction is planned for the central promenade of Morecambe, on the former site of the Bubbles leisure complex and was being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University.

Described as a "global garden", it would feature three large shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay and cost £100m to create, with £50m grant funding from the government and £50m from private and philanthropic funds, the council said.

Si Bellamy OBE, the Eden Project's chief transformation officer, said the latest release of government money "will help to build further momentum in the project and the addition of a world-class external design team will enable us to complete the crucial work needed before we begin construction".

The project is expected to open in 2027 or 2028.