[202X] Project Horizon (SW9?): Planning Approved

[MrCoaster]

I feel like we could retheme TWODW and then it could fit in to Horizon. Because let's face it, it's a theme park area based around the works of David walliams, who has been embroiled in controversy quite often. So I think a rethem would be good

 

[MrCoaster]

Even if Gangsta Granny remains as an individual attraction, I think it would be OK with a few different attractions in the area as long as they all feel well-finished. Could have space coaster, boat ride, 4D show, carousel and Gangsta Granny ride all in the area with no overall "land".

Definitely! That or gg gets rethemed

 

[spotweld]

What could they retheme TWODW to? I used to think TopGear but then that went away.

 

[MrCoaster]

It seems that they clearly had a change of plan at some point and it has gone very much on the back-burner. I think they decided on getting some flats in instead and Toxicator was the first of them. If Horizon would have gone ahead as originally scheduled and planned, I don't think Toxicator would exist in any form, for example.

If they're sensible they will get the planning re-submitted at some point and it should get through quite easily again, or they'll not let it lapse somehow (I'm not a planning expert).

I have heard rumours of a 3 flat ride deal with HUSS, one being Toxicator. X Sector would definitely benefit from this and if they wanted to keep Adventure Land alive, they probably would incorporate a flat there.

 

[spotweld]

I have heard rumours of a 3 flat ride deal with HUSS, one being Toxicator. X Sector would definitely benefit from this and if they wanted to keep Adventure Land alive, they probably would incorporate a flat there.

Isn't the deal directly with Merlin rather than Alton Specifically? Slammer at Thorpe still needs a replacement.

 

[MrCoaster]

Isn't the deal directly with Merlin rather than Alton Specifically? Slammer at Thorpe still needs a replacement.

Idk, could you check social media if you have it? I haven't got access right now

 

[spotweld]

Idk, could you check social media if you have it? I haven't got access right now

I think it's literally just a rumour.

 

[MrCoaster]

I think it's literally just a rumour.

I assume so. Would be good for the park though!

 

[mo237]

I've always wondered if they'd do what Thorpe Park have done with their hotel - pour a single footer so it's technically under construction and permissions are extended, whilst they decide what they're gonna do.

 

[spotweld]

I've always wondered if they'd do what Thorpe Park have done with their hotel - pour a single footer so it's technically under construction and permissions are extended, whilst they decide what they're gonna do.

Is that what that big slab of concrete is at the southern end of the car park?

 

[AT86]

Is that what that big slab of concrete is at the southern end of the car park?

Nah that’s the park entrance.

 

[spotweld]

Nah that’s the park entrance.

Nevermind! what I was looking at used to be a sodding shed.

(Really curious where the footer is though)

 

[Squiggs]

I've always wondered if they'd do what Thorpe Park have done with their hotel - pour a single footer so it's technically under construction and permissions are extended, whilst they decide what they're gonna do.

I don't think they'd even need to, to be honest. In this case, it would be easier, and/or cheaper, to apply for an extension or let the permission lapse and reapply as and when they actually want it. It was passed once, so it would be remarkable if it wasn't passed a second time.

At this point, it is safe to say that whatever is going on with Horizon, it has certainly now gone awry from whatever Merlin's original intentions were.

If Project Horizon was now built according to the original plans, I think it would be the longest Alton Towers have ever sat on planning permission before proceeding with construction. In recent memory, I believe every other planning permission that wasn't acted on within a year or so, was ultimately shelved. For example, the 2006 ATH Extension plans, the Smokehouse Restaurant or the 2014 Spa Extension.

In fact, I think it is pretty unusual that construction doesn't begin with weeks of receiving planning permission at Alton Towers (and several recent examples of construction beginning before permission has been granted)

 

[jon81uk]

If Project Horizon was now built according to the original plans, I think it would be the longest Alton Towers have ever sat on planning permission before proceeding with construction. In recent memory, I believe every other planning permission that wasn't acted on within a year or so, was ultimately shelved. For example, the 2006 ATH Extension plans, the Smokehouse Restaurant or the 2014 Spa Extension.

And of course the ATH expansion did go ahead in the end, just as CBeebies Hotel in the end.

 

[AltonLover123]

Someone in the Lift Hills and Thrills comment section said that they'd asked staff during the HEX VIP tour if Project Horizon was going ahead, and the staff showed them that ground clearance had started out back to some extent.

Now I don't personally believe this, and I take it as as someone scrounging for clicks but it is interesting.

Yeah I’d call BS on that one. They’d have to walk through staff car parking/ MMM sites for around 5 mins to get to the horizon site and I can’t see that happening on a Hex tour.

 

[Ash]

Well surely given what we know now, it could be surmised it was a test to see if they could get planning in place of Chessington?

Supported by the leaked survey show the testing of a Minecraft theme at Alton. Building the ride and converting some of the lodges to Minecraft themed.

And obviously it has gone elsewhere.

As far as I recall it’s only been enthusiasts who have dismissed the idea?

 

[spotweld]

Well surely given what we know now, it could be surmised it was a test to see if they could get planning in place of Chessington?

Supported by the leaked survey show the testing of a Minecraft theme at Alton. Building the ride and converting some of the lodges to Minecraft themed.

And obviously it has gone elsewhere.

As far as I recall it’s only been enthusiasts who have dismissed the idea?

So it's not happening and we have nothing to look forward to at Alton for the next few years except for refreshing and renewing?

Give me strength.

 

[AT86]

Well surely given what we know now, it could be surmised it was a test to see if they could get planning in place of Chessington?

Supported by the leaked survey show the testing of a Minecraft theme at Alton. Building the ride and converting some of the lodges to Minecraft themed.

And obviously it has gone elsewhere.

As far as I recall it’s only been enthusiasts who have dismissed the idea?

You’ve lost me a bit with this one, are you suggesting they spent tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds securing planning permission for a ride at Alton Towers simply to ‘test’ if they would get planning at Chessington for a similar ride, as opposed to actually building anything in Staffordshire?

 

[AltonLover123]

The two projects are wildly different in scale and locations.

The whole “Horizon has gone to chessington” idea is so stupid.

 

[Ash]

You’ve lost me a bit with this one, are you suggesting they spent tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds securing planning permission for a ride at Alton Towers simply to ‘test’ if they would get planning at Chessington for a similar ride, as opposed to actually building anything in Staffordshire?

No

I’m saying they wanted to know before making a final decision on where it would go, because as we know building something of that ilk at Alton seemed impossible not that long ago