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

[Benjsh]

I will be amazed if WODW lasts until 2031. My guess is it will close completely for a full makeover after this coming season or at worst case scenario the 2027 one.

Its highly likely more stuff will come out about him too. The more that does, the harder for Merlin it becomes.

Keeping that land as it is until 2031 when Universal is said to be opening will also be a travesty.

 

[Squiggs]

Planning permission is granted for the structure and its use class. From a purely planning perspective, the council doesn't care whether the inside of the acoustic shed houses an Intamin multi dimension coaster, a temporary waltzer, or a very large, heavily themed toilet block, provided the exterior matches the approved plans, the use class remains appropriate for a theme park, and the noise emissions don't breach the agreed acoustic envelope.

Actually in this case the council do care what is inside the structure. One of the planning stipulations essentially says that building has to house an attraction, and must be removed when it ceases to be used in this way.

When the application site ceases to be in the use approved by this permission, the use
shall cease and the attraction building erected on the land shall be removed within six
calendar months of that date.

So, unlike most of their planning applications, the park have a lot less leeway on this one, in that they can't just put up and empty building, or put something other than an attraction in there (e.g. a heavily themed toilet). I suspect this is partially to prevent Merlin with ending up with a very handy warehouse, where they said they wanted to build a ride. But as the decision notice stated, it also relates to the council statutory duty to protect that heritage and the surrounding landscape:

Reason:- To limit the long term landscape visual impact and long term impact on the setting of nearby heritage assets.

Which makes sense, as Project Horizon is in no way ideal when it comes to the site's heritage, as it interferes with the seeing on the Flag Tower in multiple ways.

I suspect this stipulation would also prevent them from pulling the 'half-finished' building approach to preventing the planning permission from lapsing. I think if they ceased construction part way through they would trigger the six-month timer. So even at best they might be able to draw thing out by an extra half year, but would struggle beyond this.

 

[Poisson]

I would assume it doesn't prevent them from having a very s l o w build though?

 

[Squiggs]

Also as i believe the ride will be a near clone of the Minecraft coaster, i wonder if they will need to wait for some of that team to finish before they begin, meaning construction won’t start till at least 2027.

If they pursue the current plans, we know that Project Horizon can't be a near clone of the Minecraft coaster. From the planning docs, we know that the two attractions have significantly different dimensions and the Alton Towers permission would not allow for any outdoor coaster track.

If they went down this route then I can’t see how they would approach it without resubmitting the application, to seek permission for a material change in the planning permission.

 

[Bowser]

If they pursue the current plans, we know that Project Horizon can't be a near clone of the Minecraft coaster. From the planning docs, we know that the two attractions have significantly different dimensions and the Alton Towers permission would not allow for any outdoor coaster track.

Near clone in the sense it will be an indoor Intamin multi directional family coaster, not that they will both feature a small section of outdoor track.

 

[BennyBoy]

Near clone in the sense it will be an indoor Intamin multi directional family coaster, not that they will both feature a small section of outdoor track.

I see what your saying but I don't see what the point in this would be? Not very marketable imo, it has to be something different surely. Alton needs to have a selling factor for its rides.

Otherwise no one would visit (GP) when they've been on the minecraft one. Unless again, its another IP.

May still be an Intamin though, double deal? (Launch coaster please)

 

[Plastic Person]

I can easily foresee Merlin having planned to build two Intamin MDF (?) coasters, at least at one time. If they were impressed with the ride system and its potential storytelling abilities, then the IP and potentially even their individual profile - Chessington's smaller and more akin to the recent Legoland addition, Alton's more on the scale of Uncharted at PortAventua - would arguably be enough to differentiate them for the general public.

 

[Ash]

I can easily foresee Merlin having planned to build two Intamin MDF (?) coasters, at least at one time. If they were impressed with the ride system and its potential storytelling abilities, then the IP and potentially even their individual profile - Chessington's smaller and more akin to the recent Legoland addition, Alton's more on the scale of Uncharted at PortAventua - would arguably be enough to differentiate them for the general public.

I could also see it being an Art Engineering similar to the two “Galacticoasters” recently installed