Design changes at Eden Project Morecambe backed by council officers

Design changes and flood defences at the Eden Project Morecambe have been backed by council planning officers.

An updated planning application for the new visitor attraction due to be built on the Promenade has been recommended for approval - with councillors set to have the final say at a meeting on February 16.

The altered planning application was necessary to reflect changes to the scheme announced since 2022, when permission was granted by Lancaster City Council.

Eden asked the council to approve amendments to the design and layout of the already-agreed development - known as a planning variation.

Plans to build a new flood defence wall to help protect the new attraction have also been recommended to go ahead.

The Eden Project Morecambe is a planned new £100m visitor attraction on the former Dome/Bubbles site on the central Promenade in Morecambe, described as a "once in a generation opportunity" for the town.

When permission was first granted, the Eden Project was expected to open in 2024.

This has since been put back to 2028, with construction due to start later this year.

Changes to the design were also announced in 2025, from an original concept of two larger domes and a smaller one on the site, which has been changed to one large dome and a flatter mussel-shaped building next to it (see below).

Projections on visitor numbers have also been reduced to 580,000 ticketed visitors per year from original expectations of 760,000 per year average.

Lancaster City Council officers recommended the variation be approved, subject to a legal agreement.

This will include a Full Travel Plan for visitors, employees and large events/visitors, including details of funding for this, a Travel Plan Contribution to the sum of £10,000 (split over five years), a Visitor Access and Parking Strategy comprising heads of terms unchanged from the original approval, an Outreach and Education Plan comprising heads of terms unchanged from the original approval, and delivery of the flood defence wall.

A council report published ahead of the meeting says: "There continues to be genuine optimism that the positive impacts arising from the development will quickly become firmly embedded within the town, through this varied scheme of a deliverable leisure attraction.

"The benefits arising from this weather-proofed attraction will be experienced by local hoteliers, retailers, food and drink providers and other businesses within Morecambe and the wider north-west region.

"The development itself represents a new landmark building within the town, with its bold architecture and dynamic landscaping and an embedded appreciation for the natural environment."

It says the variation "seeks a revised design to reflect changes to the visitor experience concept and ensures that the project can be delivered within the confirmed budget and timeframe".

"The proposal continues to comprise a major new mixed-use attraction in Morecambe. It will combine a range of indoor and outdoor experiences, all based on connecting people with Morecambe Bay.

"The first phase of development is the 1.5 acre (0.6ha) Bring Me Sunshine community space, inspired by the landscapes and culture of Morecambe Bay, which will be permanently relocated to the site following exhibition at this year’s RHS Flower Shows.

A design image showing how the Bring Me Sunshine garden could look

"This first phase (between the War Memorial and Midland Hotel) will form the Community Garden aspect of the proposal for public realm improvements, delivered within the next planting season.

"This will be followed by later phases (public realm beyond, and ticketed aspects of the development) in later phases to be controlled through planning condition, with an anticipated opening year for the ticketed attraction in 2028.

"In accordance with the original permission, commencement of development must take place before 19th May 2027, through the original consent or any variation of this permission.

"There are a number of changes proposed to the scheme following a strategic recalibration of the project, to ensure it remains ambitious, deliverable, and aligned with the current economic landscape.

"This will still deliver a landmark, once in a generation attraction for Morecambe.

"The proposal will continue to combine a range of indoor and outdoor experiences, all based on connecting people with Morecambe Bay.

"The vision remains focussed on natural rhythms, such as tidal rhythms and lunar rhythms, and how they underpin the health and wellbeing of people and the natural environment.

"Whilst the original permission included four shell pavilions (Bay Hall, Rhythm Machine, Natural Observatory and Bay Glade), the proposal rationalises these spaces into the ’Realm of the Sun’ and the ‘Realm of the Moon’, linked by a metronome entrance.

A design image showing how a Town Square in 'The Realm of the Sun' could look

"This variation will provide greater areas of external landscaping (Rhythm Gardens), both within and beyond ticketed areas, with an unchanged outdoor events space and approach to active travel omitting on-site parking.

"This varied proposal has evolved to improve flood resilience, through inclusion of a wrap around landscaped sea defence bund and connecting flood walls.

"The ticketed attraction would have more focussed opening hours (9:30am to 6:30pm), but continues to seek up to eight late evening events (6pm to midnight) in summer months (April to September inclusive).

"Eden Project Morecambe will be a ticketed visitor attraction, including a mix of entertainment and educational facilities provided within two buildings, the Realm of the Sun and the Realm of the Moon, linked by a Metronome for arrivals and ticketing, under a coastal green roof.

"The Realm of the Sun is the largest element, constructed in a column free gridshell.

"This bespoke design creates an efficient long span and transparent enclosure to maximise daylight to the horticultural experiences housed within.

"This external material (ETFE cladding) and appearance is unchanged from the original permission.

"The Realm of the Moon creates a ‘black-box’ experience under an integrated Solar PV roof, containing a tidal theatre and ancillary retail and restaurant areas.

"This element is inspired by local mussel shells, offering contrast in shape, colour and scale to the ‘Realm of the Sun’, whilst continuing the ‘colony of shells’ theme of the original permission.

"The proposal seeks enhanced areas of high-quality open space and landscaping, both within the ticketed site and the open accessible space beyond.

"The development will include exhibits, performance space, learning, play and immersive experiences within the development, alongside a café/restaurant, a visitor centre and ancillary retail."

A design image showing how a restaurant at Eden Project Morecambe overlooking the Bay could look

The Eden Project also asked for permission to build a new flood defence wall to help protect the new attraction.

They also want to build a flood barrier and associated works, on land east of the central Promenade regeneration site.

If approved, the new small section will sit on the inside edge of the existing sea wall near the site.

The application was necessary, because the new wall would be built outside the boundary cited in a previous planning application.

This proposed that new embanked areas, raised steps, and a raised walkway would be built around the northern perimeter of the site, with additional flood walls and gates proposed to the east and west of the site to tie in with existing flood defences.

Council officers have recommended this for approval, subject to conditions.

A report says the wall is an "essential element of mitigating the flood risk for a proposed major leisure development".

Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee will meet on Monday February 16 to discuss the plans. The meeting starts at 10.30am and is open to the public.

Read more: Eden Project seeks green light for design changes to £100m Morecambe attraction - Beyond Radio

Plan for new flood defence wall at Eden Project Morecambe - Beyond Radio