Going back to our very recent post (27/3/22) about the Disney facility planned for Swanscombe, Kent, England;

Ref:  England: Could the 1cm ‘Jumping Spider’ Kick Disney Plans Into the Dust ? – Fingers Crossed It Will ! – World Animals Voice

.. it would appear that given the news today, 29/3/22; including a decision by Natural England to designate the location as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI) – have led developers to withdraw their planning application.

The long-awaited entertainment destination was set to open in 2025 – occupying a 1,245 acre site.

Recent artist impressions showed flood lights illuminating a huge medieval-themed castle and lava waterfalls.

This comes after the brownfield site – the size of 136 Wembley Stadiums – was deemed a SSSI by Natural England due to its abundance of wildlife including otters, water voles, and rare birds and insects.

Following this decision, in a letter sent to the Infrastructure Planning Inspectorate late last year, Gerbeau said there would not be ‘material changes’ to the resort’s application – instead suggesting there would be ‘subtle changes in the green infrastructure strategy’.

But it appears that bosses have decided to reassess the situation altogether.

However Gerbeau is confident that bosses will resubmit their application towards the end of the year.

But at the moment, the tiny 1cm jumping spider, the water voles, the common Buzzard, plus a host of other wildlife at this SSSI  have gained more time for environmentalists and campaigners to act in their support – which of course we very much welcome.

There is much more info, including graphics, in the following article links which I have provided.

Regards Mark (and all the wildlife)

News 29/3/22:

Plans for £3.5billion British Disneyland theme park in Kent are DROPPED after delays caused by green activists and planning battle with furious locals

But numerous obstacles – including a decision by Natural England to designate the location as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – have led developers to withdraw their planning application.

Just weeks earlier, the BBC and ITV both pulled out of the plans amid concerns from wildlife experts over the impact of the park on a tiny spider just 1cm long.

The backlash from nature lovers around the distinguished jumping spider – a critically endangered species found in just one other part of the UK – killed off both broadcasters’ interest in the scheme. 

Chief Executive of the London Resort, PY Gerbeau, said today: ‘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.

Read the full article at:

Plans for £3.5billion British Disneyland theme park in Kent are DROPPED | Daily Mail Online

A colossal theme park on the outskirts of London has been derailed, in a temporary victory for environmental campaigners.

Plans for a park big enough to rival Disney – covering land equivalent to 136 Wembley Stadiums – have been in the works since 2014, and a planning application hearing was due to start today.

But the London Resort company announced it is withdrawing its current application for the park on the Swanscombe peninsula on the Thames in North Kent – an area that was designated a ‘site of special scientific interest’ (SSSI) last year because of its exceptional range of wildlife.

Read the full article at:

Why building a Disney-esque theme park near London is a bad idea | Euronews

and more at:

Plan to create £3.5 billion ‘UK Disneyland’ is dramatically withdrawn – Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

Regards Mark