London Resort webbed down in legal challenge

There’s a huge legal battle happening just down the road from our Orpington office with the development of the “London Resort”, the UK’s answer to Disneyland, which has been hit with another legal challenge from conservationist groups.

The development would be the first of its kind in the UK and the first in Europe built from the ground up since Disneyland Paris. Set to sprawl over 535 acres on the Swanscombe Peninsular in Kent, the development would have two theme park gates, a water park, a conference and convention centre, hotels, restaurants, and an e-Sports facility. 

The resort, set to feature attractions based on productions from the BBC, ITV, Paramount Productions, and more, is also in line to create over 30,000 new jobs – a real economic boost for the local area. 

However, it’s been hit with another in a long list of legal challenges from conservationist groups following the discovery of the rare ‘Distinguished Jumping Spider’, better known as the ‘Zebra spider’.

Conservationists recently lodged an application for the Government to protect the 465 hectare site as it is currently the home of many forms of wildlife, including nightingales, cuckoos, and lizards. 

The Environment Agency has responded by saying that Natural England is aware of the importance of the wildlife on the Swanscombe Peninsular and so will be considering whether the land should be proposed for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). 

It is expected that there will be a finished assessment and decision made on the land’s SSSI status early this year. 

Quite the legal battlefield to have right on your doorstep!