Planners behind the proposed London Resort have withdrawn plans for the theme park complex.
In a letter to the UK government‘s National Infrastructure Planning department yesterday, it was claimed that a resubmission would follow “shortly”.
Transport issues and the recent designation of the Swanscombe Peninsular as a significant environmental area were cited among the reasons for the application being pulled.
“There are changes we would like to make to revise the transport strategy, principally as a result of the
classification of Tilbury as a Freeport and consequent implications,” London Resort chief executive PY Gerbeau wrote.
He added that the decision by Natural England to designate the Resort’s earmarked location, what he called a “contaminated brownfield site” as an area of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), had “undermined” the project.
‘Compelling business case’
The London Resort concept has been repeatedly delayed since it was first announced in 2012.
The government’s Examining Authority was due to decide this week on whether or not to grant a further delay before assessing the proposals, or assess with the documentation currently filed.
Earlier this month there was considerable criticism of the documents filed to date, with several interested parties indicating that they had had not contact with Resort planners since summer.
Gerbeau said on Monday: “London Resort Company Holdings is committed to delivering a world class entertainment destination and we have a business case more compelling at any time since we first invested in 2013.”