Major blow for London Resort theme park that was ‘UK’s answer to Disneyland’
THE HUGE London Resort theme park set to rival Disneyland in the UK has been hit with another major blow.
First announced back in 2012, the massive attraction revealed plans to open in Kent on the Swanscombe Peninsula.
However, the theme park ran into a number of problems, including the land being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2021.
And the latest blow comes as the land it was meant to be bought on is now up for sale.
The 372 aces was initially granted to be used by London Resort, after paying £4million for it.
However, the lease expired in December 2022 and has not been renewed.
According to Kent Live, Swanscombe Development LLP – a 50/50 joint venture between Aggregate Industries and Anglo American International Holdings – has been put up for sale with Savills.
The website states: “The land forms part of an area that is the subject of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) status relating to the proposed London Resort entertainment resort/theme park.
“It was subject to a Development Consent Order submission accepted for examination in January 2021 but later withdrawn. The London Resort scheme retains NSIP status.
“An option agreement in favour of London Resort lapsed in December 2022 and has not been renewed.”
Locals have long opposed the plans, with many slamming the huge development.
Sally Smith, press and advocacy officer at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “It hasn’t come as a complete surprise, the plans for the London Resort and the theme park on the site have been dead in the water for some time.”
The initial plans for London Resort said it would be three times larger than any other UK theme park, similar in size to 136 Wembley Stadiums.
Also the biggest investment in Europe since Disneyland Paris in 1992, there were initially plans for six lands.
This includes partners such as Paramount, BBC and ITV, with Mission Impossible and Doctor Who themed rides.
Along with 3,500 hotel rooms, at least 12 major rides were expected, with as many as 50 rides as a new ferry terminal.
The London Resort timeline
October 2012 – The London Resort is announced as London Paramount Entertainment Resort, to open in 2019
April 2013 – Discussion over development after discovery of a rare species of spider
May 2014 – London Paramount Entertainment Resort granted Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status
December 2014 – Partnership with BBC Worldwide announced
March 2015 – Partnership with Aardman Animation and BFI announced
September 2015 – Opening date pushed back to 2021
November 2016 – Waterpark plans scrapped, opening date pushed to 2022
June 2017 – Paramount pulls out, with park renamed as The London Resort
September 2017 – Opening date pushed back to 2023, with estimated costs rising to £3.5billion
November 2018 – Opening date pushed back to 2024
April 2019 – Partnership with ITV Studios announced.
November 2021 – Natural England designates the area as a SSSI for nationally important invertebrates, breeding birds, plants and geology
March 2022 – Resort application is withdrawn
March 2023 – London Resort Company Holdings goes into administration
June 2024 – Swanscombe Development LLP, the land for The London Resort, is listed for sale
It was set to open by 2019, however delays resulted in this being pushed back, as well as the majority of partners pulling out of the development.
In March 2023, the London Resort called in administrators, and at the time time said the project was ongoing, with new proposals to be submitted.
But last year, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, MP told The Sun he considered the scheme to be “dead in the water”.
He said: “In my eyes, the SSSI registration has ended the possibility of a theme park. I now see this site’s future as a nature reserve.
A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson told Sun Travel: “
Planning Inspectorate spokesperson: “The London Resort application was withdrawn in March 2022.
“There has been no recent communication regarding a resubmitted or a new application.”
In the mean time, Universal has revealed it’s own plans for a huge new theme park in the UK.
Set to open in Bedford, the 500-acre attraction would have hotels as well as its own train station.