London Resort Company Holdings (“LRCH”), the developer behind the proposed London Paramount Entertainment Resort for North Kent, has announced that there will be a further round of public consultation before a planning application is submitted for the multi-billion pound theme park development.
Traffic and transport are seen to be the most challenging aspects for this Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and LRCH is liaising with Highways England, the Garden City and others affected.
The additional consultation announced today, represents the fifth stage of an extensive programme of community engagement carried out by LRCH, which has already connected with more than 8, 000 people affected by the development. A Community Liaison Group has been set up to share information more effectively with the local community leading up to the planning submission and beyond.
Commenting on the announcement on behalf of London Paramount, David Testa, CEO, London Paramount, said, “We’re delighted we are entering a critical stage in the planning process for the Entertainment Resort. While we had hoped to have submitted an application by now, it is much more important to ensure the evidence base is robust and comprehensive to maximise the prospects of success, which means the preparation time is longer. The funds are in place to take this project through the planning process.
“We received a wealth of feedback at our consultations last year which, along with new information from further studies we have conducted in the area, has allowed us to refine our masterplan. We were always conscious that there was a need to share more detailed information in relation to transport and ecology and we’ve been working hard on those reports.
“We have decided that, given some of the changes we are making to the masterplan, we should hold a further round of public consultation on the updated information. This decision comes as part of our continued dialogue with the Planning Inspectorate and local authorities in Dartford, Gravesham and Kent, and the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. Following the further consultation events, we intend to submit our application to the Planning Inspectorate in 2017.”
