A NEW development which could bring hundreds of new jobs - and boost tourism in Morecambe Bay - has received a boost from the Government.

Plans for Eden Project North in Morecambe were discussed in a debate called by David Morris MP in the House of Commons.

Mr Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, made the case for the Government to invest in Eden Project North in his speech, outlining the projected economic, environmental and social benefits of the project.

His speech was welcomed by Luke Hall, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, who offered encouraging words for Eden Project North ahead of the Budget next month (March).

During his speech, Mr Morris said: “We must be seen to deliver on investment across the north. Levelling up does not mean investing only in Manchester, Liverpool or Leeds—the major cities—but levelling up all across the north-west. Can the Minister reassure the people of the north-west, and specifically Morecambe and the Lancaster region, that they will not be forgotten, because Eden Project North will have a huge positive impact across Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire?”

In response, Mr Hall said: “My hon. Friend asked for confirmation that Eden Project North is exactly the kind of project that this Government wish to support. Although I hope he will understand that I cannot make a decision today, I can give him that assurance.

“Proposals like Eden Project North are part and parcel of our core agenda to secure a vibrant and prosperous north and level up every part of our country. As my hon. Friend has said, this project has the potential to make an economic impact reaching far beyond the town itself, across the whole of Lancashire and, indeed, the northern powerhouse. It has the potential to create high-quality, new, green economy jobs, which are needed in the north.

“The north has many areas of outstanding natural beauty, and this project could be an important part of the wider tourism offer, reimagining coastal communities for the 21st century, not just as an international visitor destination, but as a real asset in the region’s post-covid economic recovery."

David Harland, Chief Executive of Eden Project International, said: "Eden Project North will have huge economic, environmental and social benefits to both the Morecambe area and wider North West region. We are confident that we have made the strong case for positive investment from the Government. Our track record in Cornwall shows that Eden Projects can return economic impact far outweighing their cost and our firm belief is that Eden Project North will be a key driver of the Government’s levelling-up agenda and a post-Covid green recovery for the North.”

Eden, which is working on the Morecambe project with partners Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, has submitted a business case to the Government.

The 140-page document makes the case for £70m of Government investment in Eden Project North

Eden Project North is projected to attract around 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 (not including money spent at Eden Project North) which would support an additional 1,500 jobs.