Luxury hotel rooms are still being sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds on a protected wildlife site earmarked for a multi-billion pound theme park project, despite the plans being shelved.

Set to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula, the London Resort is billed as one of the most "sustainable, global leisure and entertainment destinations in the world" and if approved would feature dinosaur-themed rides as well as a water park, cinema, theatre and shopping centre.

Developers behind the £2.5bn scheme want to accommodate stays from overseas visitors and have previously struck a deal with Radisson Hotels to build an up-scale 430-room suite within the 535-acre resort.

It is still possible to buy rooms inside the 4-star complex overlooking the Thames which features a bar and restaurant, spa and swimming pool, and large meeting and events spaces.

And despite only being able to able to use the room for two weeks of the year, it will set you back £370,000 in return for what a recent online promotional video claims to be an "assured minimum cash return of 8% over the first three years".

There's just one problem for potential investors – not a grain of dirt has shifted on site since plans were mooted in 2012 and the most recent blueprint for the park has been shelved.

When first announced, it was hoped the resort would have been part-operational by 2019.

The project continues to face numerous delays amid planning hurdles related to transport and environmental issues – including the site's new-found status as a nature haven and the emergence of a rare species of jumping spider.

Despite this, resort bosses still believe they can turn this "Disneyland dream" around and have pledged to submit a revised bid by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, developers struck up a partnership with PwC, one of the big four accountancy firms, to "bring their global experience in smart venue technologies" to meet the resort's "ambitious environmental and social goals".

While details of exactly what it will be involved in have not been revealed, it could see the implementation of systems to monitor the density of crowds to prevent build-ups, and high-tech apps to help enhance the customer experience.

Meanwhile, hotel rooms are still being offered for sale on the site which has been officially designated as a nationally significant infrastructure project by the government.

A spokesman for the London Resort has since confirmed a deal is "still in place" with Radisson to deliver the suites.

But some believe the resort's time may well be up unless it can address key concerns.

Kent University professor Richard Scase, a business expert in economic trends, said: "It may be the market for big leisure projects of this kind has gone.

"The whole thing is shrouded in uncertainty, ranging from local businesses to transport.

"These issues make it difficult for investors and backers to commit themselves because they don't know if they going to get their money back."

He says numerous delays and the recent application withdrawal will have done little to erase any "seeds of doubt" in the minds of investors.

"My gut feeling is if it was going to happen it would have by now," he said.

Professor Scase hastens to add his assumptions are based entirely on the plans which have been made public to date but believes the resort's chances were likely a "50/50" from the beginning given the size and scale proposed.

The economics forecaster added large leisure projects are always "high risk" in any economic climate.

"What might of been seen as attractive 10 years ago may no longer be so," he said. "Where is the business going to come from? It is going to be the M25 inevitably but that is already over-congested.

"The infrastructure that is already there is out of date and inadequate."

Until recently both BBC and ITV's studio arms had lent image rights which would have seen rides named after hit brands such as Thunderbirds and Sherlock Holmes.

But both have now pulled the plug on their involvement.

A view via Google Earth of where the London Resort would be built

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has also recently withdrawn his support, explaining he had "run out of patience" amid ongoing concerns and a lack of engagement from London Resort Company Holdings.

Speaking last month, Mr Johnson said: "As far as I am concerned, this is the end of the project.

Resort bosses have since gone back to the drawing board but remain confident in their prospects of delivering the park.

London Resort chief executive PY Gerbeau said it will go ahead "despite the naysayers and doom-mongers".

Explaining the reasons behind last month's withdrawal he said: “In the best interests of the London Resort, we are withdrawing the current application as a result of the classification of Tilbury as a Freeport which has meant revisions are required in moving the ferry terminal from Tilbury to Grays.

"These changes are considered material and as such require withdrawal and resubmission..."

The French entrepreneur added: “This issue, combined with the decision by Natural England to designate a brownfield contaminated site as an SSSI has impacted the project.

"We in turn have acquired significant land holdings as part of our mitigation strategy combined with our commitment to spend £150m on environmental improvements on the peninsula. These changes are considered material and as such require withdrawal and resubmission."

If approved, the resort will eventually comprise of two parks. The first is due to open in 2025 with the second by 2030. It is expected that around 70% of attractions will be under cover.

It expects to create 6,000 jobs during its construction and be responsible for 48,000 jobs - either directly or indirectly, by 2039.

Radisson Hotels was approached for comment.