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A new image showing how a multi-billion pound theme park project could look lit up at night has been released as bosses reveal feedback to their proposals.
The London Resort project is set to be constructed on the Swanscombe Peninsula and will offer a host of exciting rides and experiences for thrill-seekers if opened in 2024.
A brand new aerial shot of the £5bn park dubbed "Britain's answer to Disneyland" offers a teasing glimpse into some of the headline attractions, including rollercoasters, waterparks, theatres, convention centres and immersive e-sports facilities.
Theme park bosses remain tight lipped on the exact details of the scheme but the new night-time image shows two new ferry terminals and a riverside wharf which are to form the cornerstone of plans to support more sustainable modes of transport.
Meanwhile, developers also shared details of feedback received to its "largely virtual" public consultation.
The consultation, which lasted eight weeks and ran between July and September, saw more than 120,000 members of the public contacted, with 105,000 leaflets sent to areas of Gravesham, Dartford and Thurrock.
More than 800 people attended 20 weekly webinars where bosses fielded questions from both members of the public and local authorities.
Feedback showed 65% of respondents agreed the Resort will benefit the local area in the long term.
Traffic and protection of wildlife sites were among the biggest concerns raised.
Under the spotlight was the developer's approach to sustainability and the environment, with its project site set over 465 hectares of land next to and on historic marshland.
The marshes are home to thousands of bug, bird, reptiles and mammal species, including over 250 invertebrates that are 'of conservation concern' and a campaign has been launched in opposition to the plans.
London Resort bosses say their plans will protect this biodiversity and enhance access to designated protected areas.
Its approach includes proposing a series of habitat enhancements and management interventions, as well as leaving a large proportion of the peninsula undeveloped including Black Duck Marsh, Broadness Marsh and Botany Marsh.
Feedback received show that 73% of people supported this approach which includes enhancing local habitats to continue to support the wildlife that reside around the site, with 55% expressing strong support.
New footpath routes are also proposed that will allow enjoyment of the river and marsh landscape, as well as clearly signed cycle routes and the designation of "wildlife zones" where the public will have no access. The public were also broadly in support of this with 76% in favour.
“Sustainability is at the core of our vision,” commented PY Gerbeau, the chief executive tasked with steering the project towards completion. “Through the consultation, people were able to digest hundreds of pages of the latest analysis and environmental studies.
"It was also, quite rightly, a topic which engendered a lot of questions. For three quarters of people to be in support of our plans is hugely rewarding; we would like to thank everyone who responded, we are taking all feedback very seriously.”
Another hot topic was around traffic concerns and how people will travel to and from the new theme park.
Developers plan to build a new direct road connection from the A2 although the potential for added traffic in an already heavily congested areas and the exact boundaries for junction improvement works have raised concerns among Bean residents.
Despite this 70% of respondents supported the approach to sustainable transport which includes promoting rail, boat and bus links and minimising impacts on the road network.
In total, 50% were strongly in support with 80% keen to segment London Resort traffic and keep it separate from local traffic.
Other feedback compiled noted the potential for the project to bring in much needed jobs and support growth in the Thames Estuary region.
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership said: "We welcome the ambition for London Resort to be a catalyst for jobs - supporting job creation, tourism and business growth - all of which are critical to support recovery and growth in the SELEP economy.
To date, across the five consultations which have been staged since 2014, nearly 9,000 people have either attended events or webinars with a total of 1,931 feedback forms received.
First announced in 2012 as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) it has already been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride with repeat delays to its planning application, known as a development consent order (DCO).
Such major projects hold special status which allows them to bypass local planning requirements but they must obtain approval from the government to commence work.
'The public has responded overwhelmingly in favour and for that we are deeply grateful...'
“Getting to this point has not been easy,” said PY Gerbeau. “But the public has responded overwhelmingly in favour and for that we are deeply grateful.
"We will go through all of the feedback and use it to help inform our approach and further develop our proposals.
"But there is no doubting, that our aim of creating one of the most exciting entertainment destinations in the world, here in the UK, has taken another big step towards becoming a reality. "We now look forward to submitting our DCO application later this year.”
If successful in securing development consent, construction could begin in early 2022 with a view to opening in 2024.
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