TREE-MENDOUS New £100million beachfront Eden Project attraction with treehouses and immersive experiences forced to delay UK opening
THE opening date of the new Eden Project that is being built in an English seaside town has been delayed.
While bosses hoped that Eden Project Morecambe would open to the public in 2026, this date has been pushed back following a meeting between various organisations.
An update meeting recently took place between several bodies, including Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and members of the public.
Following the meeting, Eden bosses confirmed that the opening date could be "edging towards 2027" or 2028, as reported by the BBC.
Bosses previously hoped the site would partially open in late 2026, with a full opening set to take place in 2027.
Work was meant to start on the site earlier this year; however, site investigation work is now expected to begin later this year.Speaking to the BBC, Si Bellamy, Head of the Eden Project International, said: "Rachel Reeves, the new chancellor, visited Morecambe in the general election campaign and met Lizzie Collinge, who is now the new MP for Morecambe.
"We are currently dealing with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the full business case for Eden, which is about accessing public money. We hope to have that done by the early autumn."
The project, which is being planned for Morecambe, was promised £50m by the former government, if it was able to raise the same amount of funding.
Earlier this year, Eden Project chiefs claimed they were "getting close" to securing the additional £50mThe first instalment of government funding, to the tune of £2.5million, has already been committed, with contractors, architects and designers being sourced.
Originally named Eden Project North, developers hope it can replicate the success of the Eden Project in Cornwall, which opened in 2001.
Once completed, the new Eden will be home to a "hyper-real forest" with large installations and immersive theatre.
It will have three huge shell-shaped pavilions that will overlook Morecambe Bay.
There will be a "Bay Glade" with a wellbeing landscape and a Natural Observatory for research and educationMeanwhile, there will also be an exhibition area and meeting point for guests named the Bay Hall.
The attraction will also have children's play areas, restaurants, cafes and a gift shop.
The space will host events throughout the year, similar to the ones held at the Cornwall Eden Project, where famous musicians such as Elton John, Lionel Richie and Kylie Minogue have performed.
Concept images, which were released earlier this year, provided further examples of what will be in the facility when it's finally able to open its doors.
They show impressive looking walkways linking treehouses, as well as other wooden structures, which will be built beneath the domes that will make up the overall layout.
The Eden Project website states: "Eden Project Morecambe will be a destination that combines indoor and outdoor experiences, connecting people with the internationally-significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay while also enhancing wellbeing.
"Eden Project Morecambe will combine exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, live music, art, food, beverage and retail spaces, all integrated as essential parts of the overall experience."
Bosses hope that once the site opens, it could attract as many as 750,000 guests every year.
Ticket prices are yet to be revealed, but non-ticket holders will be able to access some of the outdoor area.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the "surfing wellness resort" in the UK.
Meanwhile, this other Eden project is also set to open in Dundee.And we've rounded up the five best technology-free adventure parks in the UK.
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