Paramount unveils £2bn resort plan

Plans by Paramount Pictures for a £2bn (€2.5bn) “Disney-style” entertainment centre in Britain have been unveiled.

The development will transform an 872-acre brownfield site in the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent into one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe, the consortium behind the project claimed.

At the heart of the proposed development is Europe’s leading entertainment destination, with a Paramount-branded entertainment resort and leisure district.

It will feature Europe’s largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event space, and hotels and, if given the go-ahead, will be twice the size of the Olympic site and should open in 2018.

The site is on the doorstep of Ebbsfleet International railway station, which will provide a 17-minute journey time into London, and two hours to Paris.

Tony Sefton, project leader for the development company, London Resort Company Holdings, said: “Our vision is to create a world-class entertainment destination. Over the next 12-18 months we will be progressing the planning application, while embarking on a wide- reaching programme of community consultation, while securing further commercial agreements with third parties.

“Our timetable for delivery, including the planning application process and construction timetable, is geared towards completion and opening in 2018.”