The long-awaited multi-billion pound theme park resort in Dartford has taken another step back as delays continue to plague the project.

The London Resort pushed back the planned opening date for a fourth time to 2023 this year, and announced a split with Paramount Studios.

Developers of the project, supposedly set to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula, said it would reveal fresh plans in a final consultation early next year.

However, this has been delayed – but bosses insist it will not impact the final opening date.

Andy Martin, spokesperson for LRCH, said: “As we continue to design, refine and develop The London Resort, it requires incredible commitment and careful consideration at a detailed level from ourselves, our local authority colleagues and statutory consultees and eventually the community.

“We have therefore revised our programme and will no longer be consulting in quarter one of 2018. All major projects are years in the making and The London Resort is no different.

“We are pleased to advise that this will not impact on our plans to open in 2023. We will be consulting in quarter two of 2018 and submit our Development Consent Order later in the year.”

The consultation on cross the 872-acre-park, expected to create more than 27,000 jobs and feature the feature more than 50 rides, will happen more than a year after it was originally planned.

Jonathon Hawkes, leader of Dartford Labour, said the delays were frustrating.

Cllr Hawkes said: “This continued delays about the London Resort are unwelcome and frustrating - particularly for residents and businesses in Swanscombe who, after five years, still have no certainty about how this massive development is going to impact them.

“Labour has always said that this development could be good news - but it’s got to be delivered in a way that benefits the local economy and provides local jobs. At the moment, I’ve got no confidence that it’s going to do either - London Resort need to provide better answers than we’ve had up to now.”

Dan Bramwell is the spokesman for Peninsula Management Group, which represents more than 100 small businesses and landowners on Northfleet Industrial Estate, the Kent Kraft Estate and the Manor Way Business Park on the site earmarked for the project.

He said: “PMG are not surprised that there will be a delay in the public consultation as they have always felt that the LRCH timetable is extremely ambitious.

“Of most concern to PMG, several of whom are seasoned property developers with many years of experience, is the fact that LRCH is making the usual positive noises about progress but has yet to get to grips with securing the land they require on the industrial estates to actually do anything.”

The London Resort said they had met with PMG members to discuss terms and details of an eventual purchase price.