Hollywood film giant Paramount plans £2billion tourist resort for north Kent to create 27,000 jobs
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| A computer-generated image of the Paramount entertainment complex, including a water park, bottom left |
by Alan Watkins and business
editor Trevor Sturgess
It could take Paramount 18 months to get planning permission for the large-scale project, with the theme park due to open in 2018.
Derelict land next to the Ebbsfleet International station has been chosen for the huge project, on the same scale "as Disney".
It means visitors will step off the train and immediately be inside the complex - twice the size of the Olympic Park.
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| The proposed site covers virtually all the green areas on this map, stretching from the small Swanscombe harbour, top, as far as the new Ingress Park homes development, middle left. Picture: Google maps |
A consortium of top companies has been developing the plans and working with Dartford and Gravesham councils for a year. In a joint statement, Dartford leader Jeremy Kite and Gravesham leader John Burden said: "This development represents a tremendous economic growth opportunity for the region."
Development firm London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) has been set up to spearhead the project and has signed a deal with Paramount Licensing Inc, the licensing division for the Hollywood-based Paramount Pictures.
Tony Sefton, project leader for LRCH, said: "Our vision is to create a world class entertainment destination, the first of its kind in the UK.
"We are at the start of a long journey, but have been encouraged by the support and buy-in we have had to date."
The complex is set to give a massive boost to tourism and inject millions of pounds into the local economy while the jobs will be welcomed in an area of relatively high youth unemployment.
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| Land between Northfleet and Ingress Park in Swanscombe which could be developed into one of the world's biggest theme parks |
It involves Paramount Pictures, London and Continental Railways, the BBC and ITV, and a host of other organisations. The plans have been put together by LRCH.
The 872-acre development has the backing of the landowner, Lafarge Cement.
Similar Spanish theme park set to open in 2015
Until now, the area has been the subject of a series of half-hearted housing proposals within the Thames Gateway.
Revived ideas include plans for a cruise terminal to be built at deep water moorings at Northfleet, close to the park.
"We already have Eastern Quarry going ahead, and the expansion of Bluewater, which will also bring in much needed jobs for the area.
"It is an exciting time for the area."He said getting the infrastructure right was going to be key to the development.
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| A Paramount theme park is also planned for South Korea |
"This will be one of the biggest job creation projects we've ever seen in Kent, on the same scale as the likes of Disney. It's a great project to have in the county and ticks all the boxes. With the economy still struggling through recession, we must welcome projects of this type."
Project leader Tony Sefton on why this could be Europe's largest entertainment complex Click here for textual description.
Kent County Council highways chief Cllr Bryan Sweetland (Con) said the park will need good road and motorway access. He confirmed the Department for Transport is now looking at a significant variation to one of the three possible routes for an additional Thames Crossing.
Following Olympics from food to volunteers
Cllr Sweetland said: "The possibility of a new Thames Crossing at the Swanscombe peninsula must now be taken very seriously."
The complex will see 17,000 jobs created at the park, with another 10,000 among suppliers and service organisations.
The plan also includes proposals to raise the land and tackle flood risks along the waterfront.
What do you think?
Developers are promising:
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An "exciting" new resort in the global tourist market
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A showcase for environmental design and management
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A UK training academy for the entertainment and hospitality industries
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Apartments for the key workers
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Support for the local economy by, for example, buying Kent produce
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A new country park
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The largest single-site science and education visitor facility in Europe, generating one million educational visits a year
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A local base for manufacture and sale of leisure products
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The biggest performing arts centre in Europe
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Re-use of some Olympic infrastructure
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Emphasis on British and Kent character
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Reducing impact on roads
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The highest level of public transport arrivals of any major leisure resort in the world
