Yahoo News All eyes on Rachel Reeves' first budget as Morecambe Eden Project bosses await October 30 announcement
Eden Project Morecambe bosses say all the signs are positive that the government will back their business case for the £100million attraction - as they revealed a further £2.5million instalment has been provided for design work.
The new Labour government's autumn budget is due on October 30 and many people in Morecambe and Lancaster, and the Eden Project Morecambe proposal, will be keeping a close eye on chancellor Rachel Reeves and a decision on the Eden business case. The hope is that £50million will come from the government and a further £50million from private finance.
Representatives of the Eden Project, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster University and Lancaster City Council were at the latest community conversation along with new Morecambe Labour MP Lizzi Collinge. Topics discussed in the on-line meeting included finance, transport, future music events, community spaces, health and education ideas for the proposed seafront attraction.
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Jonathan Noad, a Lancaster City Council officer, said: "The government has just released a further £2.5million, taking the total so far to £5million, which is massive news. It means Eden can get into the detailed design stage. It's a big, complex project which will take time. All activity between now and this time next year is being funded by this. This is the first time there has been a year's worth of money. It shows the confidence the government has placed in Eden and Morecambe.
"We also have the Eden business case to get the full £50million from the government. We expect to hear about that later this month. It is being put through checks and balances to make sure it's robust."
He said questions and answers from previous Eden in-person conversations, attended by around 300 people, have been put on the city council's website. Separately but also importantly for Morecambe, Mr Noad said Lancaster City Council is meeting developers this week interested in regenerating the former Frontierland theme park site.
'World-class design'
Si Bellamy, Eden's chief transformation officer, said: "A lot of the Eden team are in Morecambe this week. This new government funding is highly significant. This is an incredible and tangible moment when money can start to directly procure services. We will allocate it to things with a big focus on design and then we get into building. We are looking forward to telling people about our world-class design team soon. They will include architects, mechanical engineers, landscape designers and theatrical designers.
"We want to get building as quickly as possible and know the public wants this too. But we also ask for patience. This needs world-class design for a world class attraction.
"We've presented a compelling business case to the government. But it's a competitive environment. Schemes have got to stand out. But this is one of the best anywhere. It's about many things including the environment, jobs and regeneration. We can't say what the final government decision but we think it ticks all the boxes."
'Government is well-aware'
Asked if the Eden Project has an alternative 'plan B' if the government decides not to fund the full scheme, Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge said: "I am very hopeful we will not need a plan B. I think this latest funding instalment is a very strong message from the ministry. We cannot pre-empt the budget but I think the Eden Project's aims and infrastructure ideas are entirely in-line with the government. I've spoken to the chancellor Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and a minister at the treasury. All are very aware of what the Eden Project could bring."
Mr Bellamy added: "There's one plan which is about delivering generational change and requires delivering things at-scale. It's a wow project. It requires plan A."
Ms Collinge added: "That's the message the treasury and government ministers want to hear."
Public questions
In a questions session, resident Joyce Bond said: "I'm interested in concerts and theatre spaces at Eden. I'm in two local choirs and we have difficulty finding suitable venues. The Platform venue in Morecambe is difficult."
Si Bellamy replied: "We envisage small and large spaces, from intimate spaces for 50 people, bigger spaces for 100 or 200, and big gig spaces for up to 6,000. We're well-known for music gigs in Cornwall. "
Another member of the public said Morecambe Maritime Festival would be interested in using Eden. Others asked about business opportunities for local firms, public awareness and promotion of the community conversations, and education.
Katherine Taylor, who works for the NHS, was interested in health and well-being activities with Eden, the coast and green spaces. She asked if Eden was having conversations with the NHS on ideas?
Si Bellamy said: "As a charity, a key aim for Eden is a healthy planet and healthy people. We are working with NHS groups in Cornwall and activities including nature connections, walking groups, nature photography and horticulture. We know the Bay Project in Morecambe exists and we are involved here with walks etc. Health and well-being is a key theme."
And Tasnim Desai, who is linked to adult education in Nelson and east Lancashire, said: "I am involved with activity including health, well-being, family education and horticulture. How do you see community cohesion coming together with the Eden Project?"
Mr Bellamy said there are education, research and skills plans with Lancaster University, Lancaster & Morecambe College, Myesrcough College, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in Preston and the Morecambe Bay Curriculum. And other regional organisations and links would be encouraged too.
Abi Lucy-Lloyd of Lancaster University added: "We want to widen the net as broadly as possible. We are already working with Lancaster & Morecambe College about the bay curriculum."
