BRITS were thrilled to learn of plans for a new 8,000-seat stadium, hotel and thousands of homes next to the failed £3.5billion UK Disneyland.
was first announced back in 2012, with plans to build on theSwanscombe Peninsula in.
However, the theme park ran into a number of problems over the years, including the site beingfor nationally important invertebrates, breedingbirdsandplants.
And in January earlier this year, a HighCourtjudge
But, just stone’s throw away from the imagined theme park, there are plans for a new major development.
As reported by The Times, the Northfleet Harbourside project would see 3,500 houses, and 8,000 seater stadium for Ebbsfleet United, hotel and retail sites.
The developers say it will create a brand new community and 3,000 jobs.
Plans have been met with mixed reaction, with some hailing the proposals for the prospect of more wealth injected into the area.
Others are concerned about how small local businesses with fare if they are edged out of their industrial sites.
Despite objection, the developers were given the go ahead in February last year.
The public inquiry stage began today, and it was understood fears were raised over several issues.
A primary worry was the fact that the failed £3.5billion Disneyland and the Northfleet Harbourside project were linked through Abdulla al-Humaidi.
Mr al-Humaidi was the businessman who ran the failed Dartford attraction until he was made bankrupt in November 2023.
However the London Resort Company, which was headed by Mr al-Humaidi, say he is now no longer involved with the new plans.
The Dartford Disneyland was supposed to welcome visitors last year, with funding from Paramount.
But Paramount, which is owed £13.5 million, claimed in legal action that Mr al-Humaidi had been convicted of fraud several times in Kuwait.
Mr al-Humaidi argued all convictions had been overturned on appeal.
The controversial businessman was hit with a three-year-prison sentence in absentia for one outstanding conviction – which he said he will appeal.
promised at least six roller coasters, themed fantasy lands and even a giant fairytale-style castle, all squeezed onto a peninsular jutting into the Thames Estuary.
Partnerships were even announced with Aardman Animation – the team behind– and theBBC, with hopes forand-themed rides.
It was to be surrounded by 3,500 rooms in, swanky restaurants, and even two brand new ferry terminals, bringing hope that the project could sustain 33,000 local jobs.
To say that thewere ambitious would be an understatement.
But after being announced in 2012, thebecame bogged down in a planning and legal quagmire that dragged on for thirteen years.
The fact the area was declared as a site of special scientific interest further halted operations.
And despite the magical promises from CGI mockups and developers, for people in the area the saga has been anything but a fairytale.
Mr Al-Humaidi, said the park had and “ruined”;; his reputation.
The London Resort had been designated a NSIP – a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
To proceed, it needed to secure what’s known as a Development Consent Order (DCO).
But just a day before years of preparation were due to begin to be presented before planners, in March 2022, London Resortdramatically withdrew the plans, citing environmental and transport issues.
LRCH had limped on ever since – regularly promising to resubmit its plans – but with no real progress made.
The NSIP status – which is listed on the Planning Inspectorate website as applying to LRCH – is likely to die with the company, lifting the cloud of uncertainty which has hung over businesses on the peninsula in recent years.
The judge’s decision coincided with the Planning Inspectorate awarding legal costs to a host of companies which had conducted work ahead of the DCO bid, before it was shelved, due to LRCH’s “unreasonable behaviour”;;.
It said the withdrawal of the DCO was made “without sound reason, and exceptional circumstances have not been demonstrated”;;.
These included the likes of the Kent Wildlife Trust, Bugs Life, National Highways,and a joint submission by Kent County Council, Dartford Borough Council and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.
LRCH has also been told to pay costs to Merlin Entertainments, a rival theme park operator and the company behind the likes of Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. It had opposed the plans.
Now an Irish company called Landmarque Property Group has taken over managing the Northfleet Harbourside project.
Landmarque is owned by Sierra Investments, which was controlled by Mr al-Humaidi from 2018 to November 2023.
Ebbsfleet United, which is also controlled by al-Humaidi’s family, is in partnership with Landmarque.
Gravesham council has said the development was being delivered “in partnership between Landmarque and Ebbsfleet United”;;.
In a statement, NC1 said: “This project has the support of the community, Gravesham council and Ebbsfleet United supporters. It is opposed by a small number of organisations with a commercial interest.
“We look forward to the planning inquiry and getting on with investing into the local community.”;;
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce fears the Northfleet Harbourside development could jeopardise over 40 companies that are already established on the site.
The director of CPP-LM, which has ran for nearly 50 years, said it could be the end of their manufacturing business.
Sam Youseman told The Times: “Moving is a cost in the six figures. If we are forced too far away, our trained staff won’t be able to move with us.
“The impact is massive. If we are facing a compulsory purchase order here, it is a potentially business-ending level of disruption.”;;
The 35-year-old said a “functioning industrial estate”;; would at stake.
“I can’t blame the developers for wanting to make money. But there is no reason their commercial interests should trump those of the companies who have been on this estate for years,”;; he added.
