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Plans to be revealed for theme park dubbed 'UK's Disneyland' London Resort in Swanscombe

06:00, 27 July 2020

updated: 12:07, 28 July 2020

Plans will be unveiled today for a £5 billion project billed as Britain's answer to Disneyland in the latest chapter in a long-running saga.

The London Resort, if approved, will feature two theme parks in Swanscombe near Gravesend and create 17,000 jobs in 15 years, plus a further 35,000 indirect roles.

WATCH: Plans unveiled for theme park development

Plans for the scheme, which is one of the most ambitious theme park projects in Europe, were set to be published after several years of waiting but as of 9am none had appeared.

The project was first announced in 2012.

Thousands of pages of reports, plans, analysis and data are due to go live on the company's website where they will be available for public scrutiny.

The London Resort's chief executive, PY Gerbeau, said: "The London Resort represents a unique opportunity to bring a thrilling and exciting global entertainment destination to the UK with a breadth of facilities.

"It will generate multi-billion-pound investment, thousands of jobs, and will transform a largely brownfield site into one of the most exciting entertainment destinations in the world.

"As well as maximising new, immersive and interactive technologies, our aim is also to be one of the most sustainable major theme parks in the world, pursuing an operational net zero emissions goal.

Artist impression of how the Arrival Plaza, hotels and market. Picture: The London Resort
Artist impression of how the Arrival Plaza, hotels and market. Picture: The London Resort

"Sustainability is at the core of our vision and we continue to explore new and innovative ways of integrating sustainable and low-carbon principles into every area of design and operation of the resort.

"We have listened, analysed and considered all the feedback given to us through extensive consultations.

"It is the first project of its kind to be designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project so while it’s incredibly important for local communities to continue contributing, it is also important for the nation to have its say."

The multi-billion pound investment will bring with it two ferry terminals and riverside wharf with new transport interchanges, to support sustainable modes of transport.

If consent is given, the first phase of the theme park could be open by 2024 with the second phase open by 2029.

The view of how Pilgrim's Way could look. Picture: The London Resort
The view of how Pilgrim's Way could look. Picture: The London Resort

There will be themed rides and attractions across both sites with entertainment, e-sports, a water park and conference and convention venues.

There will also be retail, hotel and dining venues.

The project has been pushed back several times and changed hands and names on multiple occasions, leaving business owners on the peninsula struggling to attract investment and unsure of their futures.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

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