03.03.03
Eden's "New Works" Unveiled

Cornwall’s Eden Project, today unveiled its ambitious £107 million on-site expansion - the charity's plans are being shown at an exhibition in The Engine House, St Austell.

In only its second year of full operation, the Millennium Commission funded project is welcoming almost 2,000,000 visitors a year, against initial projections of 640,000, placing it in the UK’s top 5 ‘paid-for’ attractions.

This phase of “New Works” will include the eagerly awaited “Dry Tropics” Biome, Education Resource Centre and impressive Visitor Gateway building, and a raft of revolutionary People Movement Systems.

Planning consent for the scheme is now being sought from local authority Restormel Borough Council.

Mark Jones, Eden’s Operations Director explained: “Our current visitor and staff numbers are approximately three times those predicted. Rather than attracting additional visitors, the completion of these exciting New Works, will ensure we are able to offer the level of experience and comfort deserved not only by visitors and staff, but also by our neighbours who have so patiently shared our growing pains. If we can achieve the successful funding of this new phase we are hopeful of completion by the end of 2004.”

Explaining the need for the “New Works”, Managing Director Gaynor Coley added: “Eden’s 10 year Business Plan indicates that completion of these New Works, will enable Eden to comfortably sustain its current visitor levels alongside its already proven significant contribution to Region’s economy.”

The public exhibition of New Works is on display at the ‘Engine House’ in Aylmer Square, St Austell on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th, Thursday 6th and Friday 7th March (from 9:30am – 4:30pm) and on Saturday 8th March (from 9:00am to 1:00pm).

Editor's notes:

• The design phase of New Works received funds from the South West Regional Development Agency. Further funding was granted through the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with grants from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)

• The Millennium Commission grant contributed £43 million to the £86 million cost of the Eden Project

• Eden is re-approaching its funders for this next phase of expansion

• Images are available through Apex Photo Agency (Tel: 01392 824024 or E-mail: apex@apex-photos.co.uk


• Immediate information about the Eden Project may be obtained from our website: www.edenproject.com

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
jason@dclark.co.uk

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