The developers of a Paramount theme park in Kent have signed an agreement with the owner of Holiday Inn to run a series of hotels at the resort.

London Resort Company Holdings, which is behind the £3.2 billion project, have reached a deal with InterContinental Hotels Group, which has 320 hotels open across the UK.

The agreement, known as a heads of terms, will allow the group to operate up to 4,000 guest rooms across the site on the Swanscombe Peninsula between Gravesend and Dartford.

The hotels will be developed in phases under a range of brands owned by InterContinental, which has another 30 locations in the pipeline across the country.

These could include Crowne Plaza, Kimpton and Staybridge Suites.

The plans will go on display at a public exhibition due to be held in the autumn, with the sites due to be ready in time for the resort’s opening date in 2022.

The developers are in the process of preparing a planning application to be sent to ministers – known as a development consent order – which is expected to be submitted in November.

London Resort Company Holdings chief executive Humphrey Percy said: “This head of terms agreement with IHG is a key piece in our jigsaw puzzle of infrastructure operations which sets an important standard for the resort.

“This arrangement is a further example of our commitment to creating a truly global destination and entertainment resort in, and for, the UK.”