Proposals for a multi-billion pound theme park in Kent have been "significantly" scaled-back as part of a "reset" to address environmental concerns.

It's been confirmed the footprint of the sprawling £2.5bn leisure and entertainment attraction, dubbed the London Resort, has been redrawn on the Swanscombe Peninsula.

Bosses say they will be changing the project "significantly" which will no longer spread across the whole of the 535-acre wildlife site, near Dartford.

Instead, it will only factor in parts of it, taking into account Natural England’s decision earlier this year to designate the land as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), they said.

It forms part of what the developers claim to be a "comprehensive reset and refocus" which will also see its board "further reshuffled".

Among the high profile departures is chief executive PY Gerbeau who masterminded the revival of the much-maligned Millennium Dome in London.

The French entrepreneur was brought on board in 2019 to reverse the fortunes of the "UK's answer to Disneyland" after a rollercoaster of setbacks and a decade of delays.

But Mr Gerbeau has now decided to step down from his role with London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) following the withdrawal of the planning application earlier this year.

The bid was scrapped after the government's classification of Tilbury as a Freeport meant revisions were needed to its transport strategy.

A decision to grant the peninsula SSSI status also posed serious eco-problems despite the Resort's commitment to shell out £150m on environmental improvements.

Mr Gerbeau had vowed it would still be built despite the "naysayers and doom-mongers".

He also labelled the decision to grant protected status "erroneous", adding it was not the best means of achieving a "balance between the economic and environmental objectives for the site".

The retail and leisure business guru will continue to advise LRCH while he pursues other opportunities, it has been confirmed.

"Progress has not been easy or straightforward."

But bosses at LRCH say the project will now "move forward at pace" with fresh plans submitted for review to the Planning Inspectorate next year.

Steve Norris, chairman of LRCH said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with LRCH for more than a decade now.

"Progress has not been easy or straightforward. We have faced a number of issues which have delayed us including a designation by Natural England as a SSSI, and being forced to revise our entire transport strategy."

On Mr Gerbeau's departure, the twice London Mayor candidate added: "PY was a great leader and we are very grateful to him for his contribution.

"He helped us develop our business plan and brought some great insight into the history of the leisure industry.”

Mr Norris, an ex-Tory MP and transport minister under former Prime Minister John Major, also confirmed the project will undergo "further financial restructuring".

It comes just a week after a High Court bid to close down the Kuwaiti-backed company behind the bid over alleged unpaid debts was dismissed.

Mr Norris said its fiscal review would put it on a "firm footing" to move forward.

"It will be funded, has a realistic and deliverable business plan and compelling partnerships with global brands," he explained. "It’s time to move forward at pace with our new application.

“We have benefitted from a first‐class team at the London Resort, but after this tumultuous year, it’s time for a comprehensive reset and refocus."

To win planning approval from the Housing Secretary the developers will need to submit a special type of planning application, known as a development consent order.

The original plan for the park had called for two theme park gates, a water park, conference and convention centre and e-Sports facility.

It had also included designs for a "prehistoric nature reserve" with zip lines, archaeological digs and one of Europe's fastest rollercoasters.

However, environmental campaigners hit out at the scheme which they say is not compatible with the SSSI and have put forward their own nature oasis vision.

Local businesses operating on nearby business estates who could be turfed out under compulsory purchase powers, also claimed the development had "paralysed" their futures.

At this stage it's not known what will and won't be included in the new blueprint.

But Mr Norris added: "We will be changing the proposals significantly, but remain wholly committed to delivering in Swanscombe.

"There is huge scope for exciting destination leisure development and we will share more as we move forward next year.”