The Project, which aims to reimagine the seaside resort and become a beacon of economic, environmental and social regeneration, was granted planning permission at the end of January by Lancaster City Council.

The milestone for the project follows years of development and extensive community consultation, leading to the submission of the planning application in September 2021.

With planning permission granted, securing funding for Eden Project North is now the major focus of the Eden team. Eden has submitted a business case to the UK government, asking for a £70m public investment in the £125m project. The business case shows that this investment would be paid back many times over in economic benefit for the region.

Eden Project North would directly employ more than 400 people, with an additional 1,500 jobs supported in the region, and inject £200m per year into the North West economy. Subject to funding being secured, it is due to open in 2024.

Eden Project North is being delivered by the team behind the first Eden Project in Cornwall, alongside local partners Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and is one of the key projects in Eden’s plans to expand around the UK and the world.

“The project is now definitively shovel-ready and a compelling financial case has been made to government. We are primed and ready to create this beacon to a green and sustainable future, be part of Levelling Up and drive economic and social enhancements across the region,” said David Harland, chief executive of Eden Project International.

“While we are incredibly proud of what we and our partners have achieved so far, we now need UK government support to quickly bring this to fruition and maintain momentum.”

Eden Project North will showcase sustainable design, reimagining the British seaside resort for the 21st century. Eden Project North’s “shell like” domes will be constructed in timber and covered in a flexible transparent membrane with integrated solar cells. The four shells are set in a “dunescape” of landscaped roofing planted with coastal vegetation.

Surrounding the buildings will be a collection of outdoor gardens, designed to reflect the flora, geology and rhythms of their unique coastal environment.