Plans for an £8.5 million, 109-bedroom hotel at the Eden Project have now been submitted to Cornwall Council.
The hotel has been designed to blend into the countryside and have high standards of accessibility, energy-efficiency and sustainability. Its striking, unconventional design features prominent timber poles, cladding the outside of its two blocks.
If the plans are approved, Eden anticipate that construction will begin in late 2017, with the hotel slated to open in April 2018.
The hotel accommodation is designed to support existing projects and partners and also future developments at Eden, as well as provide accommodation for visitors to big events, such as the Eden Sessions series of summer concerts.
It would have classrooms in it to support Eden’s educational programmes, including its apprenticeship scheme and degree-level courses.
We have always aspired to have a hotel at Eden and this is the culmination of years of work towards that aim,” says Eden executive director David Harland.
“We feel that hotel accommodation at Eden would not only give an attractive option to our day visitors, but also increases Eden’s appeal as a venue for weddings, conferences and events. This is part of our plan to enhance the year-round sustainability of Eden’s business.”
David added: “The hotel would be a striking building, built to high environmental standards. We are very pleased with this design and are grateful to our neighbours for their input into the plans, helping us ensure the building has minimal impact on the surrounding environment.”
The accommodation has been split into two blocks to reduce its visual impact. Local stone cladding would be used at the lower level of the buildings, and locally-sourced timber poles are designed to set the main accommodation blocks into the surrounding landscape.
The location is near Eden’s Plum car park, and would boast easy access to the Eden site as well as local footpaths and cycle routes.
Existing features in the area, including old trees and stone walls, would be incorporated into the design of the grounds. New features, including a meadow and orchard, would be planted around the hotel.
Eden has monitored its direct economic impact on the region from its beginnings. Research shows that more than 18 million people who have visited since it opened in 2001 have spent more than £1.7 billion within Cornwall, contributing greatly to the wider economy.
The hotel, Eden says, would be a great asset in sustaining business all year round and unlocking the potential of the wider estate beyond the world-famous Biomes.
