BARROW's economy could benefit from a new multi-million pound Eden North across the bay in Morecambe.

That is the view of Barrow Borough Council’s deputy leader Lee Roberts who was speaking after developers submitted a business case for £70m of Government funding to get the project off the ground.

The estimated cost of delivering the Eden North attraction in Morecambe is around £125m, up from an initial £85m

The developer is seeking a mixture of private and public funds.

Cllr Roberts believes Barrow’s economy would receive a huge boost.

“With this business case that is looking for £70m, in my mind, that is a bargain," he said.

“The economic impact it would make on the Morecambe Bay area, including Barrow, would be phenomenal.

“For Barrow, the economy would be boosted by the number of visitors to the area and hopefully we will feel that benefit.”

Eden Project North is projected to attract one million visitors a year and directly employ more than 400 people.

The business case estimates a visitor spend of more than £200m per year in the region.

Eden in Cornwall has witnessed more than 22 million visitors and added more than £2bn to the regional economy since opening in 2001.

The Eden Project plan to open a new exemplar attraction that combines indoor and outdoor experiences, which aims to connect people with the natural environment of Morecambe Bay.

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Currently, there are plans to merge Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council and Lancaster City Council to form a new unitary authority in the Morecambe Bay area.

These plans, in conjunction with Eden Project North, would take the Bay area to a whole new level, according to Cllr Roberts.

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“We have already established an economic partnership with the three authorities as an economic function,” said Cllr Roberts.

“Eden Project North aligns with some of the other things we are trying to do."

Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "The council has long recognised the importance of Eden Project North and the huge benefits it could have not just for Morecambe and Lancashire, but for the North West.

"The proposal is unique and ambitious and is something we very much support.

"Plans to deliver Eden Project North have been progressing for some time, but during recent months the County Council has increased the pace, scale and nature of its involvement by leading on the planning, management and delivery of a compelling Business Case, which has now been submitted to Government for consideration.

"We believe this case shows that the project is 'shovel-ready' and deserves to be recognised through funding by central Government."