The proposed £2.5 billion London Resort theme park in Kent, initially planned to span over 535 acres of the Swanscombe Peninsula near Dartford, is facing a significant development as the site’s owner, Swanscombe Development LLP, has put the land up for sale. Swanscombe Development LLP, a joint venture between Aggregate Industries and Anglo American International Holdings, holds approximately 372 acres on the peninsula, including 39 acres of tenanted land at Manor Way Business Park.
The corporate vehicle, which also includes the freehold on the land designated for the theme park, is being sold through property firm Savills, with the deadline for offers set for 26 July. Notably, an option for London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) to buy the land for the theme park expired in December 2022 and has not been renewed.
The site forms part of an area that holds nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) status, relating to the proposed London Resort entertainment resort and theme park. The development consent order submission for the project was accepted for examination in January 2021 but was later withdrawn. The London Resort scheme still retains NSIP status.
The London Resort theme park plans faced a setback in March 2022 when LRCH withdrew its planning application for the theme park after the Swanscombe Peninsula was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England. In December 2022, PY Gerbeau stepped down as CEO of the London Resort. Despite his departure, the developers announced plans to resubmit a new planning application in 2023. However, in March 2023, the company appointed administrators after incurring £100 million in debts.
