Plans to build a northern version of the Eden Project as part of an ambitious £125m project to revitalise a seaside resort have been given the green light.
Council chiefs in Lancashire approved plans for the site on Morecambe seafront which is hoped will attract around a million visitors and create around 400 jobs.
Lancaster City Councillors voted in favour of the project at a crunch meeting today (Monday, January 31) after hearing submissions that the Eden Project North would be 'transformative'.
Due to open in 2024, the project will be linked to its namesake in Cornwall but will be distinctly focused on Morecambe Bay, councillors were told.
Eden Project says the bay area is of international importance to wildlife including migrating birds from across the world.
It is also touted as a good location between Lancashire, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District for sustainable tourism.
In Morecambe, the new attraction will be built on the seafront at Marine Road.
The location is close to various Grade II-listed buildings including the restored art deco Midland Hotel and the Winter Gardens, once dubbed the ‘Albert Hall of the North’.
Lancashire County Councillor Phillippa Williamson previously said of the plans: "This is a transformational project for Lancashire.
"These proposals would bring a boost to Morecambe and the surrounding area, as well as benefits further afield for Lancashire and the north west.
"We've been working with Eden for some time to understand their plans and how we can help make any journey for visitors to the site.
"Whether by car, bicycle or public transport - as easy and sustainable as possible.
"These are exciting times and we're proud to be directly involved in helping to make this happen."
The shell-like domes will be constructed in timber and covered in a transparent membrane with solar cells to go beyond net zero carbon emissions.
There will also be two restaurants with ‘spectacular views’ across Morecambe Bay.
The business case submitted in the application estimates visitors will fork out more than £200m per year in the region which would support an additional 1,500 jobs.
David Harland, Chief Executive of Eden Project International, said: “The submission of the Eden Project North planning application is the culmination of years of hard work from the Eden team and our partners and a reflection of our many conversations with the Morecambe community.
“Eden Project North is a true collaborative effort and everyone who has taken part in our consultations, both formal and informal, can be confident that their input has helped shape this project.
“We are enormously proud of how this project has developed and hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed to it, especially considering the incredibly difficult circumstances of the last 18 months.
“This is a huge moment for Eden Project North but we are not resting on our laurels.
“The hard work continues and we hope to have positive news about funding for the project before the end of this year.”
The Eden team has already found success in the UK, with its project in Cornwall transforming a derelict former china clay pit into the world-class destination.
Eden in Cornwall has welcomed more than 22 million visitors to date and added more than £2.2bn to the regional economy since opening in 2001.
