Minister visits Morecambe and the Eden Project North site

A Government minister visited the proposed site for Eden Project North last week to hear for herself the breadth of support for the project and how it will help to transform Morecambe and the surrounding area.

Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), visited the site on Wednesday (October 6) to meet representatives from Eden Project North, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and the town’s MP, David Morris.

The visit was an opportunity for the representatives to showcase the proposed site for the Eden Project North, on the edge of Morecambe Bay, and to explain more about the plans for the site and the ongoing work that's taking place between the partners.

In addition to the way the proposals for Eden Project North will benefit jobs and the economy, the group discussed improving access to Morecambe Bay as an internationally important site for nature and how people from diverse backgrounds can be encouraged to engage with nature.

Tim Narey, of Eden Project International, said: “We were delighted to show the Minister the Eden Project North site and we’re really pleased she came to visit after seeing us in Cornwall a few months ago. It was great to hear that Defra shares our view on the importance of nature and a healthy environment to people and communities and we are pleased that they are keen promote the recovery of nature. As an educational charity, our aim is to educate people about the importance of the natural world, whether that is through visits to our sites or through the work we do in formal education, including establishing the Morecambe Bay Curriculum.”

Rebecca Pow MP said: “The pandemic has taught us more than ever how important it is to engage people with nature, not least for the health and well-being benefits. This proposed enterprise in Morecambe could play an important role in doing that. It will also highlight our Government agenda to restore nature which I am making a top priority as the Minister for nature recovery.”

Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “We all know the huge benefits that Eden Project North will bring to the local economy, but what we perhaps don’t talk about enough is the impact it will have on our understanding of the environment. Morecambe Bay is a site of international importance, which is one of the attributes that attracted Eden to the town in the first place. Through increased education and awareness of the bay we have the opportunity build an economy that puts the environment and sustainability at its heart. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet the Minister and discuss how we can achieve this and work together to provide more jobs and, through nature, improve health outcomes, education and aspirations within Morecambe and the wider district.”

David Morris MP said: “I am delighted that the Minister took the time to visit the site of Eden Project North where along with Tim Narey from Eden we were able to brief the Minister on the site and what the project is going to look like and its unique ability to promote the natural environment of Morecambe Bay to a wide catchment area. It was fantastic to have representation from both Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council at the visit, to show how we are all working together in the area to support the project. This support is vital when demonstrating the reasons why the Project should receive Government funding. I am delighted that the Minister took the time to visit the site, and I hope has become another ally of the scheme in Westminster. I will continue my work to secure Government funding for the Project.”

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We were pleased to be able to meet with Rebecca in Morecambe to talk about sustainability and to showcase the plans for Eden Project North. This is a landmark transformational project for Lancashire which will bring a boost to Morecambe and the surrounding area."

Debbie Francis OBE, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said: ''We cannot underestimate the impact Eden Project North will have on Lancashire.  Not only will it generate economic wealth through direct jobs and supply chain opportunities, but the environmental, health and wellbeing benefits are of equal significance.  This is why the LEP is hugely supportive of this project and is committed to working with partners to ensure Eden Project North becomes a reality.  The Minister's visit has provided the opportunity to highlight the importance of Eden Project North to the area, which I hope will result in a positive step forward in bringing the project to fruition."

Professor Dame Sue Black, Lancaster University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement, said: “Lancaster University shares the values of Eden Project North and is a big supporter and active partner. It’s great to see the Minister taking such an interest in the project and the range of environmental, economic and educational benefits that it will bring to this beautiful part of our region.”

Last updated: 11 October 2021