The Eden Project has asked for permission to build a new flood defence wall to help protect its new visitor attraction on Morecambe Promenade.
A planning application has gone in to erect the new flood defence wall, flood barrier and associated works, on land east of the central Promenade regeneration site where the new Eden Project Morecambe will be built.
If approved, the new small section will sit on the inside edge of the existing sea wall near the site.
A covering letter with the application says the new wall would "not only protect the proposed development over its lifetime" but "will also offer areas of Morecambe to the south of the site a significant reduction in coastal/tidal flood risk".
Construction work is due to start on the long-awaited visitor attraction later this year.
The new Eden Project Morecambe is expected to majorly boost the economy of the town and the surrounding area.
Below, a design image showing the proposed Eden Project Morecambe.
The covering letter, by Eden partners WSP, says the proposed flood defence wall "will ensure that the flood mitigation strategy for the site can be implemented".
It says the separate planning application is 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.
The letter says "a section of the promenade railing will be removed to allow for the construction of the new flood protection wall".
"The proposed section of flood wall crosses part of Morecambe’s public promenade, which loops around the northern boundary of the proposed Eden Project development," it continues.
It also says "there will be no impact on public access to the promenade during non-flood events...consistent with how the existing flood defence operates along Morecambe promenade".
Below, an example of existing flood wall defences on the Promenade
"The design of the flood wall follows the same design approach as the main application, being sympathetic to the surrounding heritage assets.
"The site itself already contains a sea wall, so this type of physical feature is already prominent within the setting of the heritage assets.
"Part of the sea wall will only be in situ during flood warnings and therefore only has a temporary impact.
"Overall, the proposals are considered relatively minor in scale and would tie into the development proposed."
Below, a map of the site showing where the section of sea wall would go.
WSP has also produced an updated flood risk assessment for the site, which concludes that the main risk of flooding is from tidal/coastal sources and also from surface water.
It says the Environment Agency considers the main risk of flooding from surface water to be "very low", with several smaller areas of medium and low risk of surface water, "however these are localised and likely to be associated with the low-lying areas on the site".
"The proposed site will benefit from a combination of embankments and raised footways around the western, northern and eastern parts of the development," says the flood risk assessment.
"At the western and eastern ends the site it is proposed that links will be made to tie in to existing Lancaster City Council flood defences.
"To the south of the site, another flood wall is proposed to prevent floodwater overtopping LCC defences."
Below, flood wall plans, available at lancaster.gov.uk
The planning application and related documents are publicly available in the planning section of the Lancaster City Council website lancaster.gov.uk - reference 26/00023/FUL.
The council will make a decision on planning permission in due course.
The Eden Project Morecambe is a new £100m attraction, scheduled to be built on Morecambe's central Promenade.
The land was previously occupied by The Dome entertainment venue and the Bubbles leisure centre, and prior to that the Morecambe Leisure Park outdoor swimming pool and the Super Swimming Stadium.
The project has been described as "the greatest show of nature’s rhythms, where time is sped up, slowed down or paused - revealing the wonder, rhythms and threats to the health and well-being of people, Morecambe Bay, and planet".
As well as exhibitions themed on the natural world and Morecambe Bay, housed inside a 'Realm of the Sun' and a 'Realm of the Moon', the attraction will include public gardens, a 6000-capacity concert venue and a restaurant.
In October, the Eden Project submitted a 'planning variation' asking for permission for altered plans to the design and layout of the scheme.
They said this was necessary to reflect changes to the scheme announced since 2022, when planning permission was granted by Lancaster City Council.
Read more: Eden Project seeks green light for design changes to £100m Morecambe attraction - Beyond Radio
Read more: LISTEN: How Eden Project's new community garden will bring sunshine to Morecambe - Beyond Radio
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