Yahoo News Morecambe Eden Project relief as £50m levelling up cash confirmed in Budget small print
Organisations behind plans to build the shell or dome-shaped Morecambe Eden Project attraction say the funding situation has been confirmed, following the new Labour government's autumn budget.
Eden ideas and funding proposals had been developed under the previous Conservative government and were partly linked to levelling-up cash. A sum of £50million had been earmarked from the UK Levelling-Up Fund with another £50million to be raised by the Eden Project from private supporters, sponsors and investors.
But when the new Labour government won this summer's general election, there was some uncertainty about levelling-up schemes and other regional projects, such as town deals, which were reviewed.
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But the Eden Project, Lancaster's city council, Lancaster University and Lancashire County Council have now issued a joint update saying they had the confirmation they needed from the new government.
They said: “We are delighted that the government has confirmed the original £50million commitment to Eden Project Morecambe. While there is still a process to go through to confirm the final details of this, this is a major milestone in this dynamic project, a very significant step forward in delivering this project which will do so much for Morecambe, Lancashire, and the wider region.
"All of the partners are working hard to bring this transformational project together. It's thanks to everyone's hard work, vision and determination that we're in this position.
"We are hopeful for final confirmation of the government investment shortly and aim to provide further updates on the full funding package and delivery plans for the site."
In October before the budget, the new government released £2.5million of funds, taking the total made available so far to £5million, towards current work on the development. Eden Project has said the cash will be used for detailed design work over the next 12 months.
Architects, mechanical engineers, landscape designers and theatrical designers are part of a design team looking at construction details and different types of activities planed for the new centre. Proposals include exhibitions, research and music concert spaces. The design could include small spaces for 50, 100 or 200 people, and big spaces for up to 6,000 people.
Detailed ground investigations on the Morecambe seafront site could begin late this year or in early 2025, before construction begins. The new Eden attraction is expected to be finished 2027 or 2028.
