The opening date for a proposed £3.2billion theme park and resort in Swanscombe has been pushed back for a fourth time as bosses in charge of the project set a new deadline for planning permission.

The London Resort Company Holdings, the developer behind the project, had previously set a target of 2022 for its doors to open but this deadline has been pushed back as progress on the project slows.

Paramount Studios split from the project last month and bosses promised a number of recognisable brands would be at the park.

Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Council, said he would rather no deadlines rather than Dartford residents' expectations broken.

He said: “I think there really is a growing issue with credibility with local people who keep on hearing about pushbacks and missed deadlines.

“I am a supporter of the project, it is exciting for Dartford and I think it does have the legs to happen. But, I have to say what I think the people are all thinking. They have to get the traffic issues right and build confidence with local people."

“They are setting their own deadlines and it really is not necessary. I think people are patient and understand the scale of the project, and would rather not have broken expectations.”

LRCH plans to hold a final public consultation in early 2018 and submitting for a development consent order (DCO) in Spring.

The target for the DCO was autumn this year but this has been pushed back.

The chairman of London Resort Company Holdings, Humphrey Percy, said: “This final round of consultation will be a crucial step towards completing our plans for the world class entertainment resort.

“We have subjected our project to considerable rigour in recent months, transformed it, and in turn are creating an inspirational and deliverable scheme.

“We are encouraged that industry experts have fully endorsed our decision to pursue a multi-IP, two gate strategy.”

The proposed theme park will feature more than 50 rides across an 872-acre-park on the Swanscombe Peninsula.

Dan Bramwell, spokesman for Peninsula Management Group who represent businesses on the group, said the announcement was not surprising.

He said: "PMG is not unduly surprised by the announcement as little progress has been made since the last deferral.

“However, it does call into question how much longer this scenario can go on as it is having an ever-lasting impact on the many successful businesses on the peninsular.

"It has now been four years since the theme park project was first suggested and ever since there has been uncertainty hanging over the estates. It is time the government gets to grips with the situation and tells LRCH that a deadline must be set on the application.”

8,000 people have taken part in consultation projects for the scheme and this will be the fifth round of community engagement."

LRHC said this is the first project in the UK like it and claim they will be one of the top ten theme park resorts in the world.

Mr Percy said: “We are encouraged and supported by our local authority partners to take the time to get this right; we have listened to our stakeholders and will now be consulting the public early in 2018 and submitting the Development Consent Order application in Spring of 2018.

“Our grand opening date is planned for 2023.”