Plans for an innovative re-imagining of the Eden Project right here on the North West coast have taken a big step forward this week following a £70 million funding bid.
The team behind 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” – announced they have submitted a business case of £70m for government funding.
Hoping to replicate the success of Cornwall’s Eden Project, the huge development will focus on marine life.
The Eden Project North 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”.
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.
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Eden Project North is expected to cost in the region of £125m and the business case says it will provide “significant economic, environmental and social benefits” for the area.
The submission of the business case is said to be a “major milestone” for the project.
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We've submitted a business case for £70m of UK Government funding to help make Eden Project North in Morecambe a reality. The report presents the development as a key driver of the UK’s post-Covid green recovery. pic.twitter.com/GEwO441mt0
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.
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The Eden Project North is said to be of the key projects in Eden’s plans to expand around the UK and the world.
DCM / Grimshaw Architects
David Harland – Chief Executive at Eden Project – said: “This is a major milestone for Eden Project North, a moment when we have presented the government with what we know is a compliant, comprehensive and compelling case for investment.
“The world has changed beyond measure this year and it is imperative as we come out of the pandemic that our collective focus is on a recovery that stimulates the economy, is environmentally forward looking and creates meaningful, green collar jobs.
“Our firm belief is that Eden Project North does all of these things and will be transformative for Morecambe and the surrounding region.”
The team behind Eden Project North has been working closely with regional partners – the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Lancaster University, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council – on the delivering the project.
Steve Fogg – Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership – said: “The Eden North project will be a game-changer for the Lancashire economy. The project will undoubtedly deliver substantial economic benefits for our county not only in terms of the opportunities for local businesses to become part of the Eden supply chain, but also as a visitor attraction of national significance, providing a much-needed boost to our tourism and hospitality sector.”
Councillor Dr Erica Lewis – Leader of Lancaster City Council – added: “Eden Project North promises to be a transformative project that will deliver considerable social and economic benefits for Morecambe, the district and the region.”
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Eden Project North is projected to attract around one million visitors a year if given the go-ahead, with work expected to complete in 2023.
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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Emily Sergeant -
17th November 2020 
