Inspired by the distinctive, varied and beautiful landscapes surrounding Morecambe Bay, the external landscape design centres on a ‘bayscape’ narrative, which celebrates people, wildlife and nature’s rhythms, creating a wealth of potential for storytelling that will intrigue and inform visitors. The ‘bayscape’ landscape surrounds and envelops the cluster of shell-like buildings and shell-shaped visitor gardens. At the west end and directly connected to the ‘Realm of the Sun’ is the restful and sheltered ‘All Seasons Garden’, which takes an inverted spiral form that draws visitors into the space, and which showcases the seasons and weather.
To the east and leading from the ‘Realm of the Moon’ are the ‘Rhythm Gardens’, which take the abstract form of a cockle shell. The gardens allow visitors to explore the timeline of Morecambe Bay from its geological past into a re-synced future through a series of spaces that feature beach hut installations and will host seasonal events. The gardens lead people up to the main restaurant deck, revealing stunning views out across Morecambe Bay.
The Realm of the Sun encapsulates a breathtaking landscape where visitors are immersed in a heavily planted environment that conveys the wonder and power of nature. Visitors will be able to explore and interact with nature’s rhythms on multiple levels through the space, with the sculptural Elder tree, waterfall and habitations forming key elements.
As well as TEP’s landscape design role on the project, Ecology, Arboriculture and Landscape Planning colleagues have supported the project throughout, ensuring a fully considered response to the site and surroundings. For Ecology, the focus of survey and assessment was the interaction of the site with the neighbouring internationally protected SPA and Ramsar designations that cover the Bay. Based on our findings, we produced a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) in consultation with Natural England and GMEU, identifying mitigation measures to ensure no adverse impact on the integrity of protected sites. Additional surveys included Phase 1 habitat assessments, arboriculture, and bat surveys, culminating in the Ecology Chapter for the Environmental Statement.
Our Landscape Planners conducted the Townscape, Seascape and Visual Impact Assessment as part of the Environmental Statement for the project. This considered the impacts of the proposed development on landscape, townscape and seascape character areas and viewpoints in the local area and across the Bay, including night-time views, and was supported by a series of verified photomontages prepared in-house.
‘It’s a privilege to be part of this ground‑breaking project, which will have a truly transformational impact on Morecambe and deliver benefits felt across the wider Northwest. For us, it is a great opportunity to share what we do best, which is creating meaningful and immersive designs that work for people, nature and the practicalities of the site, informed by TEP’s highly skilled environmental specialists and the wider project team.’
-Graeme Atherton, TEP Director - Landscape and Urban Design
