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New plans unveiled for ‘UK Disneyland’ and the public are being asked for their views

The London Resort would be the first park of its kind to be built from scratch in Europe since Disneyland Paris in 1992.

Emily Sergeant - 28th July 2020

Further plans for “the UK’s answer to Disneyland” have just been released and now it’s the turn of the public to have their say on them.

A consultation is now under way for the new theme park resort, with Paramount Pictures also on board.

The London Resort – which is set to take shape in Swanscombe, Kent and is just 17 minutes by train from London St Pancras station – has been in the works for the past eight years, with initial concept plans having been outlined back in 2012.

News of the first plans and blueprints for the £3.5 billion project were released in December last year.

If these newly-released plans – dubbed ‘the evolved masterplan’ – are given the green light to go ahead, The London Resort would be the first park of its kind to be built from scratch in Europe since Disneyland Paris in 1992, and new Chief Executive PY Gerbeau said the industrial site would be “transformed into one of the most exciting destinations in the world”.

According to the new plans, The London Resort will include four hotels, that boast a total of around 3,500 rooms, as well as dozens of rides, attractions, entertainment, eSports and conference venues, all across two theme parks.

After signing the deal with Paramount pictures too, it will it will even feature rides based on the studio’s films, as well as TV shows from the BBC and ITV.

Speaking on the ‘evolved masterplan’, CEO PY Gerbeau continued: “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. 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”.

It has been indicated that 9,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs would created for the resort within its first year, and they claim that figure would rise to 17,000 and eventually over 35,000 respectively after 15 years.

The types of available roles would range from high-tech engineers, to seasonal part-time workers.

The London Resort has also invited the public to have their say on the plans. The Statutory Consultation period will take place from 27th July – 11.59pm on 21st September, with webinars, online Q&A sessions, telephone surgeries and other activities planned throughout the seven week period. 

“We have listened, analysed and considered all the feedback given to us through extensive consultations” continued Gerbeau.  

“[The London Resort] 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.”

If these new plans are successful in securing development consent, construction is projected to begin on The London Resort in early 2022, with a potential opening date in 2024.

You can find more about The London Resort and have your say here.