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The London Resort is a proposed
theme park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central ...
and resort in Swanscombe,
Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...
, first announced on 8 October 2012 and since repeatedly delayed. Examination of its application for planning permission has also been delayed. Eventually, a decision will be made by the Secretary of State. Originally known as the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, the project originally involved Paramount Pictures. Although Paramount pulled out of the project in 2017, leading to the complex's name being shortened to just London Resort, the company later acquired the necessary licences to still have rides based on Paramount Pictures' films. In March 2022, the application for the resort was officially withdrawn following concerns raised by
Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...
, and issues with the
free port Free economic zones (FEZ), free economic territories (FETs) or free zones (FZ) are a class of special economic zone (SEZ) designated by the trade and commerce administrations of various countries. The term is used to designate areas in which co ...
status of Tilbury. The company announced its intention to resubmit an application in 2023, but instead went into
administration Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...
in March 2023.


Plan

At the 2012 launch of the project it was announced that the complex would feature Europe's largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event space and hotels. Allied to the project would be a training academy for the entertainment and hospitality sectors, a new country park, a large science and education visitor complex and "the biggest performing arts centre in Europe". With an initial completion date announced for 2019, the park and related enterprises were expected to employ 27,000 people. Plans have since been reviewed and revised, with the London Resort announcing its intention to open in 2024. Considerable uncertainty as to when the planning application will be made lingers, and the appointed Examining Authority was increasingly critical of the lack of progress made by the LRCH in updating documents ahead of the examination. A 2024 opening (if permission is granted) is highly unlikely. The park was initially planned in partnership with Paramount Pictures, and would have been known as the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, with the park's theme having an emphasis on Britain and Kent, as well as Paramount films and entertainment properties. The team at the Resort subsequently agreed with Paramount to separate and the project became known as the London Resort. Following meetings between representatives of the project and government ministers (
George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne (born Gideon Oliver Osborne; 23 May 1971) is a former British politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in the ...
, Bob Neill,
Brandon Lewis Brandon Kenneth Lewis (born 20 June 1971) is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor from September to October 2022. He previously served as Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2018 to 2019 and ...
and
Kris Hopkins Kristan Frederick Hopkins (born 8 June 1963) is a British Conservative Party politician, who was formerly the Member of Parliament for Keighley in West Yorkshire. Elected in 2010, he served as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, a government wh ...
), it became the first commercial venture to be awarded
nationally significant infrastructure project Nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP) are major infrastructure developments in England and Wales that bypass normal local planning requirements. These include proposals for power plants, large renewable energy projects, new airp ...
status, allowing the developers to bypass local planning requirements. '''' In 2014, it was hoped that the park would spur the development of a new Garden City development at nearby Ebbsfleet. A ferry terminal is proposed on Swanscombe Peninsula to bring visitors from another new terminal in
Tilbury Tilbury is a port town in the borough of Thurrock, Essex, England. The present town was established as separate settlement in the late 19th century, on land that was mainly part of Chadwell St Mary. It contains a 16th century fort and an ancie ...
,
Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and Grea ...
. The cost of the development is estimated at £3.5 billion, although it is not yet clear how – and from whom – this funding will be provided. The Funding Statement submitted with the planning application says that “investors to fund the equity and debt financing have been identified but have chosen to remain confidential at present”.


Process

A Development Consent Order (DCO) application was submitted on 31 December 2020. It was originally envisaged that the Examination of the application would get underway in April 2021, but the applicant (LRCH) then asked for an additional four months to submit updates, following a decision by
Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...
to designate much of the development area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There have since been further delays and extensions, and in December 2021 the Examining Authority (at the Planning Inspectorate) launched a consultation (until 24 January 2022) with the applicant and interested parties (which includes objectors), asking whether an ongoing delay to the commencement of this Examination as requested by the applicant (LRCH) remains justified, appropriate and in the public interest. The Examining Authority signalled that if the delay was curtailed, it could proceed directly to examine the application as currently before it, commencing in March 2022. LRCH's option on the majority of the land needed for the development expires in December 2022, according to the accounts of owners Swanscombe Development LLP. On March 29, 2022, plans were officially withdrawn, citing Natural England's concerns and issues with the classification of Tilbury as a
free port Free economic zones (FEZ), free economic territories (FETs) or free zones (FZ) are a class of special economic zone (SEZ) designated by the trade and commerce administrations of various countries. The term is used to designate areas in which co ...
. Chief executive PY Gerbeau announced the company's intention to submit fresh plans before the end of the year. In December 2022 it was announced that the plans for the park had been scaled back and that PY Gerbeau would step down as CEO and that the plans for the resort would be resubmitted in 2023.


Attractions

The themed lands planned for the park include: * Starport * The Jungle * The Isles * The Kingdom * The Woods * The Studio * High Street In April 2021, a dinosaur-themed "Base Camp" land was announced featuring: * A triple launched roller coaster exceeding 70 mph and 1 km of track based on the Quetzalcoatlus * A family orientated roller coaster * An indoor 1500 seat show arena * A motion-based 4D dark ride themed to water-based dinosaurs * An interactive dark ride where guests track and tag dinosaurs using "sophisticated gaming technology" * Play areas, excavation sites and ziplines * Two food and beverage locations, one celebrating the life and legacy of
Mary Anning Mary Anning (21 May 1799 – 9 March 1847) was an English fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist who became known around the world for the discoveries she made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along the English Channel ...
and the other an underwater restaurant Paramount Pictures have been attached to the proposal, with the intention of showcasing Hollywood and British culture. Several companies that planned to support the project but later backed out include
Aardman Animations Aardman Animations Limited (also known as Aardman Studios, simply Aardman or Aardman Animation and stylised as AARDMAN as of 2022) is a British animation studio based in Bristol, England. It is known for films made using stop-motion and clay ani ...
, the
British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery (United Kingdom), National Lot ...
, the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
, and ITV. The latter two backed out of the project in February 2022, after reports that the endangered Attulus distinguendus species of spider, better known as the distinguished jumping spider, was discovered to be living on the site. Other rides and attractions that are expected to based on Paramount blockbusters are '' Mission: Impossible'', ''
The Italian Job ''The Italian Job'' is a 1969 British comedy caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley, directed by Peter Collinson, and starring Michael Caine. The film's plot centres around Cockney criminal Charlie Croker, r ...
'' and ''
A Quiet Place ''A Quiet Place'' is a 2018 American post-apocalyptic horror film directed by John Krasinski and written by Bryan Woods, Scott Beck and Krasinski, from a story conceived by Woods and Beck. The plot revolves around a father (Krasinski) and a mo ...
''. It has been confirmed that 70% of the parks attractions will be indoors due to England's weather conditions, allowing year-round operation. BBC Worldwide productions that were expected to feature in the theme park are '' Doctor Who'', '' Sherlock'' and ''
Top Gear Top Gear may refer to: * "Top gear", the highest gear available in a vehicle's manual transmission Television * ''Top Gear'' (1977 TV series), a British motoring magazine programme * ''Top Gear'' (2002 TV series), a relaunched version of the or ...
'' Rides and attractions that would have also have been featured included the ITV children's programmes '' Thunderbirds Are Go'' and '' Robozuna''.


Development

The site, which is not in London, straddles the border of the Dartford and
Gravesham Gravesham ( ) is a local government district with borough status in north-west Kent, England. Its administrative centre and largest town is Gravesend, which was known as ''Gravesham'' in ancient times. Gravesham was formed on 1 April 1974 ...
boroughs and both authorities have previously pledged their support. Dartford Borough Council has since published its preference for an alternative proposal for the site, with a scheme incorporating “lower density, mixed uses and ecological improvements”, instead of London Resort. In April 2013 newspaper reports claimed development may be delayed by the discovery of a rare species of spider. Sefton pledged to remove the colony of distinguished jumping spiders ('' Attulus distinguendus'') to another suitable site. The following month, the ''
Kent Messenger The ''Kent Messenger'' is a weekly newspaper serving the mid-Kent area. It is published in three editions - Maidstone, Malling, and the Weald. It is owned by the KM Group and is published on Thursdays. History The ''Kent Messenger'' grew from ...
'' reported that plans for the theme park could be endangered if a new
Lower Thames Crossing The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed road crossing of the Thames estuary downstream of the Dartford Crossing that links the counties of Kent and Essex, and its proposed approaches. If built it would pass through the districts of Thurrock an ...
was sited over the Swanscombe Peninsula and quoted Sefton: "It could really scupper plans. We are in the final throes of negotiating a very large investment and this makes it very difficult." The proposal was rejected that December. In June 2020, further details were released outlining the steps being taken in preparation for submitting planning permission in late 2020, with public consultations scheduled for Q3 2020. An environmental report was also submitted in June 2020. On 31 December 2020, LRCH submitted its Development Consent Order (DCO) planning application to the Government, via the Planning Inspectorate. On 28 January 2021, LRCH were advised that the application had been accepted for examination. This was followed on 19 February by an invitation for interested parties to register their interest in the application, up until 31 March. A public inquiry is expected to take up to a year and a half. In the absence of any further delays, Sky News reported it would lead to the first gate opening in 2024. In March that year,
Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...
listed much of the proposed site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in view of its diverse insect life. This led to a significant delay to the progress of the application. On March 29, 2022, the plans were officially withdrawn, with the intention of resubmitting them in 2023. In March 2023, London Resort Company Holdings went into
administration Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...
.


Resorts

In August 2019, LRCH announced a partnership with
Radisson Hotels Radisson Hotels is an international hotel chain headquartered in the United States. A division of the Radisson Hotel Group, it operates the brands Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson Collection, Country Inn & Suites, and Park Inn by Rad ...
to build a 430-room hotel within the resort. In the environmental scoping report published in June 2020, it was detailed that the park intends to build 4 hotels in addition to the theme parks totalling approximately 3550 rooms with 2500 rooms to be available for the first park. The plan also revealed a proposed 3000 seat convention/conference centre, an eSports arena and a number of indoor and outdoor theatres.


Reactions

The project has received mixed responses within Kent. A commentary in the ''
London Evening Standard The ''Evening Standard'', formerly ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), also known as the ''London Evening Standard'', is a local free daily newspaper in London, England, published Monday to Friday in tabloid format. In October 2009, after be ...
'' in October 2012 called into question the commitment of some of the development partners, namely landowner
Lafarge Tarmac Tarmac is a British building materials company headquartered in Solihull, England. The company was formed as Lafarge Tarmac in March 2013, by the merger of Anglo American's Tarmac UK and Lafarge's operations in the United Kingdom. In July 20 ...
, builder Brookfield Construction and property company Development Securities. In December 2012 the project secured the services of Chris Townsend, as its commercial director. Townsend performed the same role for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on behalf of the London 2012 Summer Olympics and is charged with attracting investors for debt and equity funding. In September 2020, the conservation charity Buglife began a campaign to save the Swanscombe Peninsula from development and to have the site designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Buglife describe the peninsula as “a brownfield of the highest quality for wildlife, as well as a valued community space for walking, bird watching, angling and escaping the hustle and bustle of North Kent”. In March 2021,
Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...
designated the Swanscombe Peninsula as a SSSI for nationally important invertebrates, breeding birds, plants and geology. This designation was subject to a four-month period (until 12 July 2021) in which anyone could make representations or object to the notification. Following the ending of the representation period, London Resort Company Holdings announced that they had objected to the designation, and accused Natural England of seeking to frustrate their planning application. In response, Buglife described the objection as a "transparent PR effort that misrepresents the data of their London Resort’s own wildlife surveys". Natural England subsequently told the BBC that said it would try to address the concerns raised in a "small number of objections". On 10 November 2021, Natural England's Board met, and decided to confirm the SSSI designation. In doing so, it disregarded LRCH's objections to the SSSI, with the board papers making clear that only very minor adjustments would be made to the boundary. On 24 November, LRCH's Chief Executive wrote to the Planning Inspectorate, describing Natural England's decision as erroneous, before announcing “subtle changes” to the design of the project in response to the SSSI designation. The Chief Executive also set out their “off-site ecological compensation strategy is being reframed to directly account for SSSI impacts”. Natural England “compensation cannot adequately address the harm that would result to the SSSI from the development proposal, as the feasibility of doing this is considered low and very unlikely to offer an equivalent assemblage and richness of species”. The Thames Crossing Action Group, who represent those opposed to the proposed
Lower Thames Crossing The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed road crossing of the Thames estuary downstream of the Dartford Crossing that links the counties of Kent and Essex, and its proposed approaches. If built it would pass through the districts of Thurrock an ...
have voiced concerns over traffic issues that would be generated by the London Resort Similar concerns have also been voiced about traffic and transport by Transport for London, Network Rail, and local Government leaders. Writing in 2021, local newspapers ''
News Shopper The ''News Shopper'' titles are local newspapers published in South East London and North West Kent by Newsquest. The newsroom is in Orpington. There are five local editions: Bexley Borough, Bexley & North Kent, Bromley, Dartford & Gravesend ...
'' and ''
Kent Live The ''Kent and Sussex Courier'' is an English regional newspaper, published in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The paper was the result of an amalgamation of a number of Kent and East Sussex local newspapers, and hence has always been published i ...
'' both queried whether the resort will ever open, given the extensive delays and lack of progress. On 23 November, a number of existing local businesses wrote – along with the Save Swanscombe Peninsula campaign – to the Planning Inspectorate, challenging the approach which has been taken in granting the applicant (LRCH) a series of extensions, contrary to Government Guidance. The letter set out a series of concerns, including how the uncertainty is blighting the 100+ businesses operating in the shadow of compulsory acquisition, before going on to ask the Examining Authority to take urgent action to prevent delay of the examination beyond April 2022. It was following receipt of this letter which the Examining Authority decided to launch a consultation with the applicant and interested parties on about whether the examination of the application should continue to be delayed. The Examining Authority was critical of LRCH's approach to providing information and said that the applicant's conduct was a relevant consideration for what happens next. In March 2022, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson withdrew his support for the London Resort, citing LRCH's failure to engage with local residents and the impact the resort would have on traffic and wildlife.


References

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