Hollywood film giant Paramount plans huge theme park in Swanscombe (From News Shopper)
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Hollywood film giant Paramount plans huge theme park in Swanscombe
10:29am Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Alan Woods
A computer-generated image showing the proposed design for the site.
HOLLYWOOD film giant Paramount has unveiled £2 billion proposals to build one of Europe’s largest theme parks in Swanscombe.
Planning to create 27,000 jobs, the 872-acre development planned is bigger than the Olympic Park.
At the core of the development will be a Paramount-branded entertainment resort, boasting attractions including Europe’s largest indoor water park.
Theatres, live music venues, cinemas, restaurants and hotels are also planned to open in just six years time on the currently derelict brownfield site.
Top-secret talks have been held almost daily between developer London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) and Dartford and Gravesham Councils during the past year.
Gravesham Council leader Councillor John Burden said: “This scheme is as imaginative as it is vast.
“It has the potential to re-energise the entire north Kent economy, wipe out unemployment at a stroke and resolve the long-standing regeneration issues surrounding this peninsula.
“It’s a landmark announcement which could transform the area at super-heroic speed.”
A new country park, the biggest performing arts centre in Europe and apartments for the site’s employees are also in the pipeline.
The developer says a study suggests the huge attraction will draw in thousands of tourists to the north Kent area annually, adding significantly to the economy.
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson is already backing the plan.
He said: "After the recent announcements of an extra 2,300 jobs from a proposed Bluewater expansion and 6,000 new jobs and homes from the Eastern Quarry housing development, it's an exciting time for the local area.
"The announcement today shows international businesses are now keen to invest in Dartford.
"I support the plan and will be watching the progress of the planning application with interest."
LRCH project leader Tony Sefton added: “Our vision is to create a world class entertainment destination, the first of its kind in the UK.
“We’re at the start of a long journey, but have been encouraged by the support and buy-in we have had to date.
“We are particularly pleased with the appetite we are seeing from investors, who consider this a compelling investment proposition.”
Ebbsfleet International station is at the core of access plans for the site, while the M25, M20 and A20 will provide road access.
Comments(11)
manofkent
says...
1:45pm Mon 8 Oct 12
We need jobs, we need development in this area of Gravesham. And something of this scale and with this amount of money being ploughed in the area would be brilliant.
Really really hope this happens, the people in the area really need this.
born n breed
says...
2:18pm Mon 8 Oct 12
goldenbroomboy
says...
2:39pm Mon 8 Oct 12
manofkent wrote:Do the locals really want to go through years of misery whilst building up the necessary infrastructure? FTR if you are from Gravesham you are a Kentishman, not a Man of Kent.
Don't listen to the NIMBYs. This is absolutely brilliant news and would be a stunning coup for the area. We need jobs, we need development in this area of Gravesham. And something of this scale and with this amount of money being ploughed in the area would be brilliant. Really really hope this happens, the people in the area really need this.
Dartbored
says...
3:43pm Mon 8 Oct 12
goldenbroomboy
says...
4:39pm Mon 8 Oct 12
Dartbored wrote:Whilst Dartford, & Gravesham, Boroughs are outside of the Greater London Region, they are part of the Greater London Urban Area.This means that they have all the crowding of Greater London without the compensation of the improved transport system, and developments such as this are going to exacerbate this situation unless they are carefully planned & costed. As for moaning, just wait until it hits the press that jobs are going to workers from second world countries.
We don't know any specifics, anything of the road arrangements and people are already coming on here and moaning. A potential £2 billion investment in the local economy yet we're hit with negative comments. Typical “Little Englander” mentality, how pathetic. Back on topic, I think it's excellent news. Well done to the team involved, I hope it gets the go ahead.
interested reader1
says...
4:54pm Mon 8 Oct 12
People may think its great but do they have to get in and out of the village every day??
The idea for jobs is great but not sure the location has been thought about in relation to access, fingers crossed they make it more accessible for the residents somehow
averagejoanne
says...
5:07pm Mon 8 Oct 12
swansford
says...
11:50pm Mon 8 Oct 12
I live in Swanscombe, and Dartford previously to that. This project will be a great boost to the local economy, and great for the borough of Dartford!
goldenbroomboy
says...
8:16am Tue 9 Oct 12
swansford wrote:If you want to cheer when the "muddy fields" (Daily Wail) are bricked over, go ahead. Why do you think that the western border of the administrative county of Kent keeps moving eastwards? Soon Dartford Borough will be more urban than Bromley Borough, you won't find me moving to Dartford.
I can't understand some people either!
I live in Swanscombe, and Dartford previously to that. This project will be a great boost to the local economy, and great for the borough of Dartford!
zannaskinner56
says...
2:00am Wed 10 Oct 12
buntysdad says...
12:57pm Mon 8 Oct 12