Eden Project Morecambe 'near' second £50m target

Eden Project Morecambe is on track to open in 2026

The boss of the Eden Project Morecambe said it was "getting close" to securing the £50m needed to match funding promised by the government a year ago.

The proposed eco-tourism attraction was given £50m from the government's Levelling Up Fund to help transform the town's seafront.

The remaining funding will be obtained through a mix of private sources.

Si Bellamy, head of the Eden Project International, said it was making "positive progress" on its funding target and was on track to open in 2026.

Eden Project Morecambe is expected to create around 1,400 local jobs

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

The Competition and Markets Authority, at the request of Lancaster City Council, is currently carrying out an advisory evaluation of the local authority's assessment against subsidy control requirements and a report on this matter is expected on 24 January.

The decision to award the subsidy rests with the council.

Deputy leader of Lancaster City Council, Caroline Jackson, said the authority hoped it was "all going to go through" next week as that would be a "big step forward".

"What Eden has to prove is that the money that they are getting from the government is not also being subsidised from other public money," she said.

'Positive progress'

She said the council hoped "everything is straightforward" as it "means the government can go forward to release the money".

Mr Bellamy said it was "getting close" to its funding target.

"We have been working really hard literally from the very day after the [government's] announcement to secure the second £50m.

"We've got some really positive progress on that."

He added: "We're looking forward to making some announcement in the weeks and months about that."

There are hopes construction work will start later this year.

Once opened, Eden Project Morecambe is expected to create about 1,400 local jobs and attract almost a million visitors every year.

It will be a sister site to the original Eden Project near St Austell, Cornwall.