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London Entertainment Resort: All Discussion

So the London Resort planning application has been submitted today (...I kinda thought it already had? Obviously not).

Some nice concept art etc. released, along with a description of the proposed areas. Of course this makes little difference to the likelihood of things going ahead lol.

Set to be a unique and groundbreaking, world-class destination, the London Resort, one of the most ambitious projects in Europe, is submitting its planning application submission to the Government today.
The Government’s Planning Inspectorate agency then will have a period of 28 days, during which they will write to the local authorities and, together, assess ‘adequacy’ on the consultation. They will then evaluate the application before accepting or rejecting the submission. If successful in securing development consent, construction on the London Resort could begin in 2022 with a plan to open in 2024.

The Development Consent Order (DCO) comprises over 25,000 pages of reports, assessments and analysis. It details exactly how this largely brownfield former industrial site on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent, just 17 minutes from central London by high-speed train, will be transformed into one of the world’s most exciting and immersive destinations.

The London Resort’s detailed planning application
The application confirms the scale and ambition of the team behind the, “world-class, sustainable, next generation entertainment resort”. The plans are to develop two theme park gates, a waterpark, a conference and convention centre and an e-Sports facility. More than 3,500 hotel rooms will also be created. In addition, two ferry terminals – one each side of the River Thames – will be built, along with back-of-house facilities, a visitor centre and a new road from the A2. The vast majority of the materials required to construct the resort will be delivered by river.

The London Resort will be a world-leading resort and theme park destination and as such, will mark a step-change in leisure and entertainment provision in the UK. With two theme parks showcasing the world’s most immersive and advanced themed rides and attractions, e-Sports, a water park, entertainment and conference/convention venues, hotels, retail and dining, the London Resort, will be one of the world’s largest, immersive experience centres in the world. The first theme park ‘gate’ will open in 2024 and the second within five years (by 2029).

The London Resort’s themed lands
The theme park will have six themed lands.

These are The Studios (a modern-day warehouse district inspired by blockbuster movies), The Woods (an enchanted realm influenced by fables and fairytales), The Kingdom ( swords, sorcery, dragons and Arthurian legend), The Isles (giant creatures, mythical beasts and jaw-dropping architecture), The Jungle (ancient ruins of a long-lost Mesoamerican civilisation) and The Starport ( a sci-fi, 23rd-century landing zone).

Zooming in on the latest image released reveals more details about the themed lands and potential plans for roller coasters, rides, attractions and a castle.


The London Resort entrance, High Street and water park



London-Resort_indoor-waterpark.jpg

The London Resort hotel and indoor water park



London-Resort_the-kindgom-castle-themed-land-coaster.jpg

The London Resort: The Kingdom themed land including castle




The London Resort: The Starport themed land




The London Resort: The Jungle themed land



London-Resort_the-isles-themed-land.jpg

The London Resort: The Isles themed land




The London Resort: The Woods themed land



London-Resort_the-studio-themed-land.jpg

The London Resort: The Studios themed land

The London Resort’s impact on the economy
The London Resort will be one of the largest, single site employers in the UK. It will therefore make a significant contribution to the UK economy. Independent research, detailed in the application, highlights a number of key benefits:

  • £50bn of gross economic activity (GVA) generated in the UK over the initial 25-year period;
  • Over 6,000 construction jobs created;
  • 48,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs created by 2038 including:
  • 8,700 employees by 2024 rising to over 17,000 by 2038, directly employed by the Resort
  • Up to £200m in additional tax revenues, directly created by 2038
With a global profile, the London Resort will attract visitors from all over the world. This will bring economic and community benefits for the local area that will reach far into Kent, Essex, London and the UK. The impact of the development on tourism, business growth and job creation will be transformational.

The project will be the first European theme park destination to be built from scratch since Disneyland Paris in 1992. The potential impact of the London Resort on the UK economy is illustrated by the success of Disneyland Paris. In the 25 years since it opened, the Disney park has added €68bn to the French economy. It has also benefitted the region in which it sited, Seine-et-Marne, to the tune of €22.4bn

Furthermore, Disneyland Paris made €13.7bn in purchases. 70% were made locally and 82% were made within France, adding knock-on benefits to local suppliers. Like Disneyland Paris, the London Resort is expected to be a catalyst for job creation and regeneration.

Sustainability and the environment
Importantly, the London Resort aims to be one of the most sustainable destinations in the world. It also plans to run an operationally carbon neutral theme park. The project will deliver a net biodiversity gain and will create a green network of amenity areas and parkland. These will include areas of environmental enhancement and wildlife habitat creation beside the River Thames.

During an eight week long public consultation during the summer of 2020, 64% stated their support of the London Resort with 44% strongly in favour. The consultation, which reached over 120,000 members of the public also found that 73% said they supported the London Resort’s approach to the environment and biodiversity and 74% were in support of its approach to sustainability. Furthermore, 65% agreed that the London Resort will benefit the local area in the longer term.

PY Gerbeau will be speaking at greenloop, blooloop’s sustainability in visitor attractions online conference on 20 April 2021.

So much more than just a theme park
The project will harness the natural landscape and riverside location, seamlessly integrating them into the designs. A large proportion of the peninsula landscape will remain undeveloped. It will also be enhanced, principally for wildlife and biodiversity benefits. It will include with quiet zones for visitors and the public to relax in natural surroundings. The designs will also integrate local public rights of way and a green network, giving improved access to the river for both visitors and local communities.

In addition, an improved network of pedestrian and cycle routes is planned for the Swanscombe Peninsula. This will improve connectivity and access within existing neighbourhoods. It will also create linkages with the network of green spaces and the river.

Chief Executive PY Gerbeau, who joined the London Resort in the summer of 2019 said, “I arrived at this project eighteen months ago and it has been non-stop ever since. We have revived, reviewed, and reprogrammed the entire venture. This will be so much more than just a theme park.

“We have built excellent relationships with many stakeholders and are working closely with the elected local Council leaders. This has been an incredibly challenging journey and we look forward to working with the UK Government over the next twelve months.”

PY Gerbeau spoke exclusively at the blooloop V-Expo in October 2020, showing viewers a fly through of the theme park development.


Images: The London Resort

Video: Blooloop
Click to expand...
 
It’s certainly a new stage for the project; the DCO application was always the thing that’s been touted for years, but never come, so it’s nice to see it finally come! Hopefully it signals good things for the future!

You all know my opinions of this project very well by now, so I’d probably be best to leave this thread again until any other major development happens...
 
That ride does look intriguing; unless they’ve created a new coaster model, the only other ride types I can think of with a spiral like that are the Zamperla Nineinverted (Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey at Universal Studios Singapore) and the Zamperla Volare. I actually think the former would be quite a nice fit for the area, but I suppose the latter would be reasonably unique to a large park like this.
 
None of these doodle coasters are representatives of actual ride models. Just what a concept artist thinks will look cool and sell an idea.

Once we see concept art with recognisable ride types (chain lifts, launch sections, recognisable elements ect.) then I'll get excited.
 
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Tim said:
None of these doodle coasters are representatives of actual ride models. Just what a concept artist thinks will look cool and sell an idea.

Once we see concept art with recognisable ride types (chain lifts, launch sections, recognisable elements ect.) then I'll get excited.
Click to expand...
I’d imagine we might see more semblance of recognisable ride types once we’re able to delve a little further into the nitty-gritty of the application.

In terms of what we could possibly expect coasters-wise, the Paramount park that is already under construction in Kunming will have the following coasters:
  • The Italian Job: Overdrive - Premier Rides family launch coaster thought to be inspired by the rides now known as Backlot Stunt Coaster at the ex-Paramount parks in North America.
  • Red Baron - GCI junior wooden coaster.
  • Tomb Raider: Escape from Emerald Mountain - Vekoma mine train.
  • Thunder Falls - Premier Rides water coaster.
  • Warp Drive - Launch coaster built by an unspecified manufacturer, though both Mack and B&M were specified as candidates in the environmental impact report.
  • Full ride lineup of each area of Paramount Kunming can be found here: https://www.themeparx.com/paramount-park-kunming/?p=24093#post24093
I know that this park will likely have more rollercoasters than that, as the rendering shows considerably more, but just take that into account as an idea of what we could possibly expect here.
 
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I've just done a quick count, if you believe the concept art there'll be at least 10 coasters. Not going to be the case.
 
Tim said:
I've just done a quick count, if you believe the concept art there'll be at least 10 coasters. Not going to be the case.
Click to expand...
This could well denote their long-term plans; based on the fact that there are two entrance pavilions, it seems to go up to the opening of gate 2 in 2029 at very least. I’d imagine the park may well start off smaller and gradually grow to the size that this image implies. During the consultation stage, they said that on the basis of the Resort opening in 2024, their full visitor predictions are not expected to be attained until 2038, so I’d imagine that that may be how far into the long-term they’re looking here, as well.

Another very interesting thing I noticed; it would appear that one of the entrance pavilions has a French flag over it, so could we be seeing one of the gates themed to French film and TV?
 
Of course it will be a long term concept and not opening day.

But even so very few parks hit double figures in coaster numbers. Most that do are Six Flags or Cedar Fair style coaster parks. Europa is the only park I can think of that has more than 10 and great themeing as well, but it's a huge park that can fit both.

I'm not saying this concept art is proof the project won't happen. But I am saying if it does it won't look anything like this.
 
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Tim said:
Of course it will be a long term concept and not opening day.

But even so very few parks hit double figures in coaster numbers. Most that do are Six Flags or Cedar Fair style coaster parks. Europa is the only park I can think of that has more than 10 and great themeing as well, but it's a huge park that can fit both.

I'm not saying this concept art is proof the project won't happen. But I am saying if it does it won't look anything like this.
Click to expand...
I’d imagine that the current image could possibly just be a placeholder to generate initial interest. I’d imagine that the planners they’re trying to appeal to are far more interested in the specifics they’ve already specified, like how many jobs it’ll bring to the area, and how much money it’ll add to the British economy and so forth.
 
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Tim said:
None of these doodle coasters are representatives of actual ride models. Just what a concept artist thinks will look cool and sell an idea.

Once we see concept art with recognisable ride types (chain lifts, launch sections, recognisable elements ect.) then I'll get excited.
Click to expand...
Yh because in the concept art there isn't a lift hill on the Woodie or a launch
 
This is looking more likely to happen than before
Can’t see the 300+ coasters being installed though ! ;-)
 
I am ecstatic that England is finally getting a Disney Theme Park!! When this attraction opens I will definitely try and be a frequent visitor.
 
Sorry...has somebody turned up with a big bag of cash or something???
What exactly has changed?
There is no funding for this anywhere, as far as I have heard.
The consultation has nothing really new, and the agencies and councils have all commented on this consultation being a repeat of the 2015 consultation, with no significant change...and there is still insufficient detail in the plans to make any further comment.
Read most of the report, not very impressed with the preparation, unrealistic prediction of numbers, progress schedules completely unrealistic and so on.
Show me the money...we are eight years down a financial cul de sac, in an economic crisis caused by Brexit and Coronavirus...(no mention in the document!)... still no outline planning.
Not going to happen.
 
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