THE whole of the South Lakeland area will see huge benefits from the Eden Project North, according to the man piloting the scheme.

Professor Adam Beaumont said the scheme, which this week received a major boost when Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed the initiative in the House of Commons, would see a major boost in job opportunities as well as significant wider economic benefits.

“Eden is dedicated to working with local supply chain for every aspect of construction, through to ongoing relationships with local growers and contractors,” said Prof Beaumont, who is a trustee and non-executive director of Eden Project North.

“It’s estimated the construction of Eden itself will support over 2,000 local jobs and contribute a further £164m Gross Value Added (GVA) to the surrounding regions.

“It’s been estimated that off-site visitor spend will be over £200 million GVA - which will be in the surrounding area including South Lakes.

“Eden will also act as a catalyst to wider investment across both Lancashire, Cumbria and the North West Coastal Arc.”

During Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Mrris urged the Government to press ahead with funding for the Eden Project.

“I want to reiterate that Morecambe needs the Eden Project and would the Prime Minister like to come to Morecambe and see me and the Eden team about getting the Eden Project back in Morecambe again to make Morecambe the best place on the face of this earth?,” he told the House of Commons.

And the Prime Minister responded by saying: ““The House should know that the Eden Project is now, thanks to the Chancellor very likely to come to Morecambe.”

In the wake of Mr Johnson’s comments, Mr Morris said he was now even more confident the project would become reality.

“The Prime Minister has now committed to the Project saying that thanks to the Chancellor Eden is very likely to happen,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic position to be in ahead of the budget in March, and I know the team at Eden are really pleased with the PM’s words.”

And Mr Morris said he was delighted South Lakeland would also benefit from the project in addition to the town of Morecambe itself where it will be located.

“Eden will be a gamechanger for not just Morecambe and Lunesdale but our wider region being a catalyst for new investment and complementing existing investment already in our region,” said Mr Morris.

“The recent Case for Investment which has been carried out by Grant Thornton for the Eden Project North found that for every pound invested in the project £4.20 will be returned into the economy of our region.

“This includes the creation of 6,500 jobs in the direct and indirect supply chain with £116M Net GVA contribution to GDP every year..”