A £2 billion theme park on the scale of Disneyland Paris is expected to create more than 27,000 jobs in Kent. The huge development is on an 872 acre plot of brownfield land between Dartford and Gravesend and is provisionally scheduled to open in 2018.
A consortium of companies, collectively known as London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), has already signed a deal with Paramount Pictures to develop the site which is twice the size of the Olympic Park. It will feature roller coasters, cinemas, theatres, hotels, restaurants, live music venues and Europe’s largest indoor water park.
The entertainment park is only a 17 minute train journey from St Pancras in central London. In addition the consortium hopes to make improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the site and plans to approach the government for assistance with the expenses this will entail.
Project leader Tony Sefton says that the vision of LRCH is to create a world class leisure destination which will be the first of its kind in the UK.
He continued to say; “We are at the start of a long journey, but we have been encouraged by the support and buy-in we have had to date.”
Mr Sefton believes that the consortium has learned a lot about what will be required from the redevelopment of industrial land for the Olympic Park. In this case it should be easier, he insists, as the soil on the site of the former cement works is largely clay based making it easy to landscape.
LRCH is now seeking further investors and is confident the plans will not fall foul of objections from conservationists concerned about the impact of the park on a nearby wildlife haven. A full public consultation will take place prior to a planning application being submitted, Mr Sefton said, showing that the haven would not be affected.
