What's new

Kent, England | The London Resort | Entertainment Complex

CSLKennyNI

Giga Poster
Another delay. Shocked...

https://www.southparks.co.uk/2018/05/01/london-resort-plans-delayed-once-again/

It has been confirmed that plans for the London Resort, the proposed theme park resort development on the Swanscombe Peninsula, have been delayed once again with plans now not expected to be submitted until 2019.

In an article published by local newspaper Kent Online, London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the proposed £3.2 billion development, have confirmed their intention to push back the submission of the planning application for the theme park resort. Developers had been planning on carrying out a fifth round of public consultations between April-June this year, with a view to submitting the planning application by the end of 2018. At this time it is not known when these consultations will now take place.

Speaking about these latest developments, Humphrey Percy, LRCH Chief Executive Officer, said:

“We have reached a pivotal gateway stage in our application preparation. We believe it’s important to be clear about the challenge in the preparation and delivery of a project of this scale and complexity. It is fair to say that we did not sufficiently estimate the scope for ‘unknown’ issues to impact our programme. One example of which has been the significant changes in the way in which we must assess the transport implications and consequent environmental impacts.

“We have, to date, spent approximately £55m and, as is not unusual for a project of this scale, the pace of activity has varied. We know that many people are disappointed that we are revising our programme, but we cannot, nor should we seek, to shortcut proper process in our assessments simply to meet our self-imposed deadlines. We are very much looking forward to progressing further with the project this year with the intention of submitting our application in 2019.”

This new delay is the latest in a series of postponements for the project which has seen the fifth round of public consultations continually pushed back from their initial scheduled date of early 2016. Although LRCH have not mentioned if this latest delay will see the proposed opening date of 2023 move back once again, members of the Peninsula Management Group which represents 140 businesses which would be forced to relocate to make way for the London Resort have said the current status of the project could mean it would not be possible to open before 2026 – 7 years later than the date set when the project was first announced.

It would also appear that local support for the project is diminishing, with the uncertainty being created by the many delays to the project causing doubt amongst some people that LRCH will ever deliver on the project.
 

Bert2theSpark

Mega Poster
The only reason this is still going is so that the project team can receive huge paychecks for delaying a theme park occasionally.
 

Matt N

CF Legend
Hopefully this is the last delay before they submit the planning application and begin construction!
 

shawnoc

Mega Poster
Hahahahahaha!!! I never saw this coming at all.

Christ gullivers have got plans in and approved for Rotherham in the time of this debacle.

Surely it’s time to throw the hat in.
 

Smithy

Strata Poster
“We have, to date, spent approximately £55m and, as is not unusual for a project of this scale, the pace of activity has varied

£55 ****ing million English pounds.

£55 MILLION.

What mindless cretin with bottomless pockets is funding these narcissistic vanity project??? Or is it just one big money laundering process.
 

Matt N

CF Legend
At least a new opening date of 2026 gives them more time to work out the kinks and deliver this project well. I know it's a long way away, but it will be worth it! Also, going by Merlin's 4 year cycle, Alton Towers should be opening SW10 in 2026, so 2026 will be an exciting year for the UK industry if this opens as well as SW10!
 

Lofty

CF Legend
latest
 

TommyAlex

Mega Poster
At least a new opening date of 2026 gives them more time to work out the kinks and deliver this project well. I know it's a long way away, but it will be worth it!

Yes, the 8 year wait to be told Paramount Park will now open in 2052 will be worth it.
 

CSLKennyNI

Giga Poster
https://www.southparks.co.uk/2018/05/10/london-resort-update-may-2018/
Apparently they now want to open this in phases 2 which will result in the resort consisting of two parks.
London Resort Update – May 2018
Further details have emerged today of the proposed plans for the London Resort, the multibillion pound theme park resort development earmarked for the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent.

In a meeting with the Government Planning Inspectorate held on 9th March, London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the developers behind the project, outlined their plans for the Resort following the announcement that LRCH was no longer in partnership with Paramount.

LRCH now propose to have a variety of IP (intellectual property) partners, which will lead to a range of themed lands within the theme park. Contracts with six IP partners are close to being completed and LRCH anticipate these will be announced in due course.

The park is now proposed to be delivered in two phases by splitting it up into two ‘gates’ – Gate 1 would consist of a stand-alone theme park and account for approximately two thirds of the overall scheme. Gate 1 would also feature the six IP partners currently being negotiated and be operational first. Gate 2 would provide further IP-partnered lands and further hotel accommodation, however LRCH have advised that they will wait until Gate 1 is open before negotiating the IP partners for Gate 2 to ensure the IPs they intended to use were still relevant and desirable.

As part of the scheme, a total of 3550 rooms would be built, with the majority of the hotels being included in Gate 1. Access to all the hotels would be accessible from outside the park as well as safe access routes to and from the park.

LRCH intend to secure development consent for both phases in one application and currently intends to submit their application in 2019, however have not specified at precisely which point in the year that will be. Prior to submitting the application they are promising an ongoing dialogue with key consultees, including Highways England; the Environment Agency; and Natural England; and Natural England. There is also the potential that some of the associated development required for the project, including works to the junction of the A2, may require a separate Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and consequently require their own application.

This latest update from LRCH follows an uncertain period for the project which has experienced what have been perceived as a number of setbacks for the London Resort. It is hoped that this more encouraging news now means that more positive progress towards the submission of the Development Consent Order will be seen in the coming months.

Still don't think this will ever happen...
 
Top