The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sturgeon backs ‘incredible’ Eden Project for city
EXCLUSIVE: First minister says it is ‘a game-changer’
The ambitious Eden Project which would bring millions of visitors to Dundee has secured a key player in turning the tourist dream into reality.
The SNP will announce today it will support the initiative if the party is returned to government in the Holyrood election.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Eden vision was “an incredible project which will be a game-changer for the city”.
Establishing the world-class attraction is viewed as a vital part of the party’s strategy to help the country’s economic recovery from coronavirus.
The project was described as a “beacon of hope” for the future by Eden chief executive David Harland when it was unveiled and the SNP believes it has potential for enormous job creation and tourism investment as well as being a standard bearer for Scotland’s green credentials.
The SNP will confirm its backing for the Tayside scheme as one of a number of measures aimed at regenerating Scotland’s hard-hit tourism sector over the year ahead.
An SNP Scottish Government will support the creation of the Dundee Eden Project – an attraction expected to bring millions of visitors to the city – if re-elected in May, we can exclusively reveal.
The party would back the “ambitious landmark project” to establish Dundee as a world-class destination and support Scottish tourism as part of its pandemic recovery strategy, and to reinforce the government’s commitment to climate change ahead of COP26.
Supporting the Dundee Eden Project is one of the SNP’S headline policy promises to be announced today, among a raft of plans to support Scotland’s tourism sector over the next 12 months.
The Eden Project is best known for its Cornwall site, which houses a “global garden” with giant biomes making up the world’s largest rainforest in captivity.
The attraction, which has been visited by millions since it first opened in 2001, also hosts exhibitions, school visits and concerts, and the charity has since expanded into China and New Zealand.
A feasibility study has been ongoing into potential sites in Dundee, with three preferred locations identified and concept designs already drawn up illustrating the scale of the attraction, which is scheduled to open in 2024.
It is hoped the project, which was described as a “beacon of hope” for the future by Eden’s chief executive, David Harland, will help kickstart Scotland’s tourism sector following more than a year of coronavirus restrictions.
It is understood the SNP will put a commitment to rebuild the country’s tourism and hospitality sector at the centre of its manifesto pledges “so that we can share all that Scotland has to offer when the time is right”.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This incredible project will be a game-changer for the city and the surrounding area and, with the backing of an SNP Scottish Government, a massive part of the jigsaw falls into place.
“The project will play a key role in Dundee’s strategic economic recovery from Covid-19, providing many benefits and opportunities to secure jobs, increase investment and attract more visitors to the area.
“Tourism remains a key driver for the inclusive growth of Scotland’s economy and in these incredibly challenging times for tourism, business and the wider economy, it is hugely exciting to see potential new growth through the next steps towards Eden Project Scotland being taken.
“Scotland’s tourism strategy aims to be the world leader in 21st Century tourism. The strategy’s fourth pillar, alongside Passionate People, Thriving Places and Diverse Businesses, aims to provide the very best authentic and memorable experiences.
“The provision of highquality and authentic attractions like Dundee Eden will allow us to deliver those experiences.
“Meanwhile, the climate emergency has not gone away and the SNP looks forward to a successful COP26 in Glasgow.
“Our support for the creation of an Eden in Scotland would be a statement of intent and a showcase for our commitment to a just transition to net-zero emissions by 2045.”
The flagship Eden site has boosted Cornwall’s economy by £2 billion and it is hoped an attraction in Dundee would bring similar benefits for Tayside.
We previously revealed in an exclusive first-look sneak preview how the City of Discovery site will span several locations to contain the city’s “nine new guilds” – each with a ‘must see’ quality based on events, designs or installations.
Along with Eden International, the proposals have been worked on by Dundee City Council – spearheaded by council leader John Alexander – with backing from Dundee University and publishers DC Thomson.
Mr Alexander said: “Eden Scotland is a project of local, national and international significance that will act as a catalyst for growth and improvement; environmentally, socially and economically.
“For all of that, and more, I’m delighted that my party are standing squarely behind the city as we move to bringing this incredible project through to delivery.”
“This incredible project will be a game-changer for the city