London Resort Company Holdings has withdrawn its planning application for the London Resort, a £2.5bn theme park that was due to open on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent. The company will resubmit an application later this year.
“In the best interests of the London Resort, we are withdrawing the current application; as a result of the classification of Tilbury as a freeport, which has meant revisions are required in moving the ferry terminal from Tilbury to Grays,” CEO PY Gerbeau said in a statement.
“We are working closely and collaborating with Thurrock Council on that matter.”
According to Gerbeau, London Resort Company Holdings is “still 100 percent committed to this amazing project and we will resubmit [the planning application] before the end of 2022″.
He said the company is looking forward to “delivering a world-class entertainment resort – the UK deserves better and we will make it happen”.
Last year, Kent’s Swanscombe Peninsula was confirmed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England.
Gerbeau said the changes to the ports of Tilbury and Grays “combined with the decision by Natural England to designate a brownfield contaminated site as an SSSI has impacted the project”.
“We in turn have acquired significant land holdings as part of our mitigation strategy combined with our commitment to spend £150m on environmental improvements on the peninsula,” he added.
“These changes are considered material and as such require withdrawal and resubmission.”
Plans to be resubmitted “before the end of 2022”
“We have repeatedly petitioned for latitude, extensions of time and of course understanding from the Examining Authority and the Planning Inspectorate,” Gerbeau said.
“Their teams have been extremely supportive, but we recognise that the best route for the project is through withdrawal and resubmission of a fresh DCO application within this calendar year.”
Gerbeau said the resort will “continue our engagement with the local community, statutory bodies, landowners and others to make sure we can reach as many agreements as possible before resubmission”.
The BBC and ITV recently confirmed that they are no longer involved in the London Resort. Earlier this month, the development announced two new board members.
Images: London Resort Company Holdings
