The proposed London Resort theme park is back in the news. Conservation groups are calling for the removal of the projects ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ status, a planning designation that could allow the theme park to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent – a site described as a “haven for wildlife”.
Various wildlife organisations have written to Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, asking him to axe a direction for the London Resort theme park to be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
NSIPs are usually assigned to large scale national infrastructure projects such as airports and major roads and such developments bypass normal local planning requirements.
In the letter, the coalition of wildlife charities said revoking the NSIP direction was essential “to secure the future of this nationally important wildlife site”.
The Swanscombe Peninsula was given protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2021 due to the national importance of its geology, plant life and wildlife. It is home to over 2,000 invertebrate breeds, 82 species of birds including nightingales, as well as water voles and otters.
The government said the environmental impact would be considered once a planning application had been submitted.
A planning application for the proposed £3.5 billion theme park was withdrawn last March, and the London Resort said they would submit a revised application “in due course”.
The London Resort Holding Company recently entered into a Company Voluntary Administration agreement with its creditors after amassing £100 million in debt.
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