Plans for a £125 million re-imagining of the Eden Project right here on the North West coast have officially been given the go ahead by councillors.
The team behind the Eden Project North – which is set to be a major attraction for Lancashire and is part of a wider project aiming to “re-imagine Morecambe as a seaside resort for the 21st Century” – this week saw their plans go before Lancaster City Council in what was said to be one of the most important planning meetings in over a decade.
Lancaster City Council have now agreed planning approval for the ambitious and innovative scheme.
Confirming the news of the green light to plans, David Morris – MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale – said it was “a great day for Morecambe”.
He added on Twitter that he is “delighted that we have reached another milestone” in the project, and that he looks forward to “working with Michael Gove to get the government funding for the project secured.”
Hoping to replicate the success of Cornwall’s Eden Project, the Eden Project North will focus on marine life and seeks to transform the well-known Morecambe coastline by building a “ticketed visitor attraction that is sustainable and transformative, with large indoor environments, housed within iconic pavilions”.
An artist’s impression image of Eden Project North / Credit: Eden Project North
The plans for the new all-year visitor attraction show five shell-shaped domes built on waterfront on the site of Bubbles – a former swimming pool – and appeal to people keen on art, science, adventure, play and performance as well as nature.
Eden Project North is expected to provide “significant economic, environmental and social benefits” for the area.
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Those familiar with the original Eden Project in Cornwall will recognise Eden Project North as a similar attraction combining “exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, art, food, beverage and retail spaces”.
It hopes to bring together “health and wellbeing” and “wonder and entertainment” through its various zones.
An environment filled with plants and art exhibits will be known as ‘Above the Bay’, while theatrical experiences will bring the tides and lunar rhythms to life in ‘Below the Bay’, and there’ll be bookable wellbeing treatments in The Natural Sanctuary, as well as the Eden Project North’s research and education programmes being housed in the ‘Natural Observatory’.
Those familiar with the original Eden Project in Cornwall will recognise Eden Project North as a similar attraction combining “exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, art, food, beverage and retail spaces”.
It hopes to bring together “health and wellbeing” and “wonder and entertainment” through its various zones.
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We are delighted to have reached the point of having planning permission unanimously approved for Eden Project North, bringing the project one step closer to reality 🙌 #EdenProjectNorth is shovel-ready and work now continues to secure investment. pic.twitter.com/wvu1ob3Q4o
David Harland – Chief Executive of Eden Project International – said: “Planning permission is a huge milestone on our journey towards making Eden Project North an exemplar project for Morecambe, Lancashire, and the North of England.
“The project is now definitively shovel-ready and a compelling financial case has been made to Government [so] we are primed and ready to create this beacon to a green and sustainable future, be part of Levelling Up and drive economic and social enhancements across the region.
“While we are incredibly proud of what we and our partners have achieved so far, we now need UK government support to quickly bring this to fruition and maintain momentum.
“We’re hugely grateful to the Lancaster City Council planners for granting this landmark project planning permission. Massive thanks must also go to our partners and the community in the region for supporting us throughout the consultation process.
“We continue to be inspired by the wellspring of positivity we get from the people of Morecambe.”
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An artist’s impression image of Eden Project North / Credit: Eden Project North
Eden Project North would directly employ more than 400 people, with an additional 1,500 jobs supported in the region, and hoped to inject £200 million per year into the North West economy.
Subject to funding being secured, it is due to open in 2024.
Featured Image – Eden Project North
News
Man charged with rape of 17-year-old girl near Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
A man is due to appear in court today after being charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl near Piccadilly Gardens last month.
A 24-year-old Afghan man, who has been formally named by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as Abdul Shinwari, of no fixed abode, has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation, and possession with intent to supply.
He was charged following reports of the rape of a 17-year-old girl on Hope Street, near Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre.
The shocking incident happened at around 1:30am on Tuesday 14 July 2026, and specialist safeguarding officers have been continuing to support the victim ever since.
Shinwari was remanded in custody following his arrest, and is now due to appear at Manchester Crown Court today (25 August 2026).
There have been no further police statements on the matter at this time.
News of this incident comes after it was announced earlier this year that a new police hub was to set to be established in Piccadilly Gardens.
Local leaders said at the start of 2026 that their ambition for the year was to maintain a ‘high-performing’ police service by tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and protecting residents and businesses along the way.
And part of this ambition was to increase police visibility in Piccadilly Gardens, which is a much-maligned part of the city centre, by launching a new ‘prominent’ police hub.
Race Across The World star Jo Gardiner dies just one year after co-star son
Daisy Jackson
A Race Across The World star from Manchester has died just one year after her son and co-star tragically passed away.
Jo Gardiner, who starred on the hit BBC series back in 2020, died after a ‘long and courageous battle’ with cancer, her family has said.
The 61-year-old physiotherapist appeared on the second season of the travel competition, racing across Latin America with her son Sam Gardiner, who was just 19 at the time.
The pair became a fan favourite as they bonded over their travels, and Sam gained confidence to explore despite his ADHD.
Tragically, Sam passed away last May at the age of 24, following a vehicle collision in Gatley.
Paying tribute to Jo, Studio Lambert and the BBC described her as ‘the matriarch of the Race Across The World cast family’.
In the tribute, they also sent ‘deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Jo’s son Charlie’.
Jo’s family shared in a statement: “She had a rare gift for making everyone around her feel more alive. She lived fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves.
“She was blessed with countless friends, drawn to her extraordinary magnetism. Somehow, each one felt as though they were among her very best.
Jo Gardiner, from Manchester, starred on season two of Race Across The World. Credit: BBC
“To us, she was more than all of these things. She was our family, our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure.
“We know how deeply Jo was loved, and we take comfort in knowing that her laughter, her courage, her kindness and her wonderfully outrageous spirit will live on in the many people whose lives she touched.
“As we grieve, we ask for privacy, but we also ask everyone who knew and loved Jo to do exactly what she would have wanted: tell the funny stories, raise a glass, have an adventure, laugh loudly and live life to the full.”
Studio Lambert and the BBC shared: “On behalf of the Studio Lambert production team, the BBC and the whole Race Across The World cast, we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Jo’s son Charlie, and her wider family and friends.
“Following the tragic death of Jo’s son Sam last year, we paid tribute to how integral Sam and Jo had been to series two. Millions of people remembered their transformative journey across Latin America in 2020 and we hold that memory in our hearts as we fondly recall Jo’s passion for life, her kindness, her strength, and above all her utter devotion to Sam and her family.
“At the time of filming, Sam described his mum as amazing – and that is how we will always remember her.
“Jo became the matriarch of the Race Across the World cast family, she leaves a lasting legacy in the many lives that she touched, both through the series and beyond. It was a privilege to share her story and she will be deeply missed.”
Emily Sergeant -
31st January 2022 
