Dundee's Eden Project moves to second phase
A cash injection of £7.6m means the project is one step closer to beginning its construction phase
Dundee's Eden Project is a step closer to being a reality, after a multi-million pound funding package was confirmed for the second phase of the development.
The £7.6m injection into the project will fund detailed design and development and completing the work required for a planning application. This is effectively everything needed to get the project ready for construction.
This work follows the completion of the Eden Project Dundee pollination study and masterplan, which established the economic, social and environmental case for the project and started exploring design and content.
Eden Project Dundee partners Dundee City Council, The Northwood Charitable Trust and the University of Dundee will all contribute to the funding pot.
The Eden Project will also invest heavily into the project through its development arm, Eden Project International, in order to maximise the Dundee project’s chances of success.
Eden Project Dundee, which is set to be built on the former gasworks on East Dock Street overlooking the River Tay, is projected to attract more than 500,000 visitors every year, generating £27m of economic impact on the region annually.
The project will create 200 direct jobs and support an additional 300 jobs in the supply chain and connected businesses. The construction phase is projected to bring an additional £171m to the local economy.
The Eden Project team is responsible for the hugely successful Eden Project in Cornwall which has turned an investment of £141m into a £2.2bn economic impact on the regional economy in South West England. Since opening in 2001, Eden in Cornwall has welcomed more than 22m visitors and in recent years has continued to see annual visitor numbers of more than a million.
David Harland, Chief Executive of Eden Project International, said: “This is a hugely significant moment for Eden Project Dundee. Not only does it fund work on the project up to the point of shovels going into the ground but also demonstrates the huge confidence the city of Dundee and its institutions have shown for our vision.
“With last year’s COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland established its place as a global environmental leader and we hope to continue this momentum in Dundee.
“Everyone at Eden is energised by this project and inspired by the enviable ambition of the city. The gasworks site is unique and brimming with opportunities for an attraction that Dundonians can feel proud to call their own. We can’t wait to share our ideas with everyone as the plans develop and mature.”
Dundee City Council leader, Councillor John Alexander, said: “The feasibility work that has been undertaken shows just how much Eden can deliver for Dundee – hundreds of jobs, huge visitor numbers and tens of millions of pounds into the local economy.
“And it’s so much more than that too, with tremendous opportunities for education and connecting our diverse communities.
“Eden Project Dundee truly is an incredible concept, which will wow city residents and tourists alike. It will be another jewel in the crown of our stunning, transformed Waterfront area.
“This investment by the city council and its partners is a real statement of intent and shows our collective commitment to progressing this world-class project.”