Future of £3.5bn ‘British Disneyland’ hangs in balance over a DECADE after it was unveiled following string of setbacks

BRITAIN’S £3.5 billion “answer to Disneyland” has been hit with yet another setback over a decade after plans were unveiled.

Labour’s Angela Rayner has been urged to pull the plug on the London-based project which promised thousands of jobs, hotels and rides.

First announced in 2012, the London Resort is set to be built on Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent.

But since then the build has been plagued with disastrous setbacks – and the latest could result in the entire plan collapsing.

Wildlife charities are calling on the government to revoke the planning status on the peninsula entirely after it was named one of the most important breeding bird sites in south east England.

The land has more than 2,000 species of invertebrates and 82 species of breeding birds.

Members of Buglife, CPRE Kent, Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB believe it’s now time to call time on the theme park as it’s reached the 10-year mark of becoming the subject of a Development Consent Order.

This is the means of obtaining planning permission for developments referred to as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

They are usually used for huge projects like railways and airports.

A DCO differs from the regular planning process as the decision is made by the government, not by local authorities.

Buglife’s programme manager Jamie Robins told KentOnline: “We have known for years the site is a haven for wildlife, but the threat of a theme park continues to hang over it – leaving the community uncertain over the future of their much-loved green space, year after year.

“After a decade of uncertainty, the time has come for the Secretary of State to remove this unnecessary and damaging planning status so we can take the steps to save it.

“The Swanscombe Peninsula is a unique site, home to thousands of species of animal and plant and an unrivalled green space for the local community with the potential to be a nature park accessible to all.”

He stressed that the planet is currently in a “nature crisis” and pointed out that the government has committed to protecting 30 percent of the wildlife in the country.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Planning and Policy Officer Emma Waller echoed: “We have climate and biodiversity targets we need to meet, and the these environmentally damaging infrastructure projects is pushing these targets further and further away.

“The Government has committed to protect 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030, and with the destruction of irreplicable habitats and nationally protected conservation sites, it’s no surprise that we are not on track to meet our 30 by 30 targets.”

This comes after the land that the theme park was due to be built 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.”

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.

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.”

The Sun has approached Labour, Savills, Buglife, CPRE Kent, Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB for comment.