Plans for new global tourist attraction in Scottish city to go ahead

PLANS for an incredible new Eden Project in Dundee complete with waterfront attractions, play areas and immersive shows have been given the green light.

Councillors have given the go-ahead for the £130million project which will be based at the former gasworks site near East Dock Street.

Having first opened in Cornwall in 2001, the attraction is often named one of the best of its kind in the UK.

Plans for the new resort in the city were first proposed in 2020 and, similar to the attraction in Cornwall, the main focus will be on plant life and nature.

The attraction is set to span over three venues, the first will have a single-storey entrance where people can visit a cafe ad will be called The Valve.

The second venue is called The Lush Bunker and this will be inside the gas holder to the south-eastern corner of the site.

Visitors will be able to experience an exhibition space called The Seam in this venue, which is 36m (118ft) at its highest point.

Using a ramp, people can make their way through the three different levels inside the building with each level having its own theme.

The project will help deliver hundreds of jobs, huge visitor numbers and tens of millions of pounds for the local economy… It will attract people from far and wide, as well as being very much for the citizens of Dundee

Councillor John AlexanderDundee City Council leader

The third venue spans across two levels and includes gallery spaces, installations, exhibits, and artworks.

However, this space currently does not have a name.

Guests will be created by a “green gateway” at the entrance, which will connect the parks to the waterfront. 

There will be three areas across the resort, exploring human’s “relationship with nature”.

Along the River Tay will be walled gardens “showing the city’s industrial heritage”.

There will also be live music, immersive experiences, play areas, as well as food and drink stalls and gift shops.

While ticket prices are yet to be announced, it was confirmed it would have affordable pricing.

It hopes to attract as many as 500,000 tourists a year.

Although no exact date has been confirmed for its grand opening, it is expected to welcome its first visitors sometime in 2026.

Plans also state that the project is set to include a Gathering Meadows space south of the site

This will have an outside event space that is expected to hold up to 6,000 guests.

Blair Parkin, the Eden Project’s chief experience development officer, has praised councillors for approving the plans and said it is a “major milestone” for the city.

Speaking to BBC Scotland News, he said: “This is a project for Dundee, by Dundee and we are incredibly proud of the work we have undertaken together to get the project to this stage.

“We will allow ourselves a moment of celebration but we are well aware there is still lots to do to make Eden Project Dundee a reality.

“We will now concentrate on working with all our partners, progressing the design, securing investment and continuing to deliver our community programmes in the city.”

Dundee City Council leader, Councillor John Alexander also said it will have a huge impact on the city and the local community.

He said: “The project will help deliver hundreds of jobs, huge visitor numbers and tens of millions of pounds for the local economy.

“But it will also provide new educational opportunities and seek to build work on efforts within our communities, well beyond the site boundary.

“It will attract people from far and wide, as well as being very much for the citizens of Dundee.”