A driving force behind London Paramount has left the project to pursue other ventures.
London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the proposed Entertainment Resort announced the departure of demographics and location analysis expert Tony Sefton yesterday (March 23).
Mr Sefton first unveiled his idea to build the £2 billion tourist destination, set to feature a theme park, water park, sporting facilities, an entertainment street, a staff training academy and around 5,000 hotel rooms, in 2012.
Tony Sefton
He set up LRCH, which is owned by Kuwaiti European Holdings Company, after identifying the Swanscombe Peninsula between Gravesend and Dartford as a good location for the project.
Mr Sefton worked with the government to get his plans designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, aimed at speeding up its delivery by bypassing local planning authorities.
He said "It's been a pleasure bringing this project from a fascinating idea to a very real proposition underpinned by a solid business plan.
"I wish the team and the good people of North Kent the greatest of success."
Fenlon Dunphy, Director at LRCH, added: "We want to express our sincere thanks to Tony for the energy, enthusiasm and hard work he has brought to this project.
"Tony has played an important role alongside the senior leadership team in the original vision and moving the project forward from its early inception.
"The London Paramount project has made significant progress in recent months, including signing development agreements with internationally recognised brands BBC Worldwide and Aardman Studios, as well as bringing the BFI on board as a cultural adviser.
"We are on course to submit a planning application to the Planning Inspectorate in autumn of this year, which will move us another step closer to delivering a world-class entertainment destination in the UK."
An image of what London Paramount could look like
A planning application for the resort is due to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in the autumn.
A decision is expected from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in winter 2016/spring 2017.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here