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Two children's shows from ITV will inspire attractions at a proposed entertainment resort, it has emerged, after the broadcaster signed a deal with bosses.
KentOnline can reveal the London Resort, a £3.2bn theme park proposed for the Swanscombe Peninsula between Gravesend and Dartford, will feature rides and attractions themed around Thunderbirds Are Go and Robozuna.
The names of the shows featuring in the new resort comes after bosses announced it had signed a deal with ITV yesterday.
It comes four years after the BBC and Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations announced a similar partnership, aiming to bring a Best of British concept to the "multi-billion-pound global destination theme park" due to open in 2024.
The resort was originally going to be inspired by Paramount Pictures, with the film studio lending its name to the resort’s rides and attractions.
The high profile project was put in jeopardy in 2017 when Paramount pulled out, but owners London Resort Company Holdings announced the deal on Monday which they hope will rekindle enthusiasm in the project.
Four years ago bosses leading the project announced the BBC and Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations had entered a similar partnership, but it is not known at this stage if the partnership continues.
The idea was to bring a Best of British concept to the multi-billion-pound park, which is said to be opening in 2024, following several delays.
It is not clear at this stage what rides will be built around the two brands, but Thunderbirds Are Go attractions will feature the re-imagining of the classic series.
The show features groundbreaking mix of CGI animation against live-action miniatures.
It airs in more than 60 countries.
The Robonzuna children's show features ultimate bot-battling-bot competitions.
Youngsters who watch is will know it is an action-packed journey as characters Ariston and Mangle inspire the nation's children and discover heroes are not only born, they're built.
Bosses say the park will feature two parks set over 535 acres and will be three times larger than other UK parks.
They have not revealed which other attractions will be featured at the park, but say it will have 200 acres dedicated to rides and experiences and a bespoke entertainment district.
It will also feature a full-suite of hospitality experiences including 3,500 hotel rooms.
Those backing the project say it will be one of the largest construction projects across Europe, and will create over 30,000 jobs, contributing billions of pounds to UK economy.
However, councillors from the area and and even the MP are sceptical about the park's future and what it will mean for people living and working in the nearby community.
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: "I think people are running out of patience with this proposed theme park.
"I met with the developers fairly recently and told them that this was the case.
"There was a time when people were quite excited about the prospect of a theme park and the jobs it would create, but people are also understandably concerned about the traffic, congestion and disruption it would bring.
"So far, nothing these developers have put forward has allayed those fears.
"The developers control over the Swanscombe Peninsula has had a detrimental impact on the businesses that are currently located there and this is something I would like them to address.
"If they do not deal with this problem swiftly then this proposal could end up costing Dartford jobs rather than creating them."
Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council, added: "We are always interested to hear about new developments with the resort but the fundamental issue remains that the operators must convince us and all local people that the resort will be of benefit to this community.
"That means tackling crucial issues like transport and disturbance, and I look forward to hearing from them on these issues.
"At this moment in time the considerable uncertainty is causing huge blight on local businesses in the area and this is something that the operators must address if they are to secure the confidence of local people."
