London Resort reveals images of new dinosaur rollercoaster
BBC NEWS By Jamie Bennett-Ness @bennettnessy
Reporter for Greenwich and Bexley
The £5bn mega-theme park has been dubbed as the UK's answer to Disneyland, with developers embarking on one of Europe's most ambitious theme park projects ever, with the BBC, ITV and Paramount involved. It will be build on the Swanscombe Marshes across 535 acres of the north Kent site, the size of 136 Wembley Stadiums. However, the plans face a fight against environmental organisations and campaigners who are keen to protect the Swanscombe Marshes. Today, the developers have announced a short delay in the plans to respond to the new challenge, but have revealed new plans for the Base Camp area as a sign of progress. The UK's £5bn answer to Disneyland: Will the London Resort ever get built? Celebrating one of the largest known winged reptiles of all time, a dino-themed coaster will be one of the fastest in Europe, launching riders at speeds over 70mph.
Set over 1km of track, it will go against the usual trend of building rollercoasters with towering heights and big drops, the London Resort said. "Recreating what scientists believe was a typical flight path of the extraordinary beast, this coaster will stay low to the ground, zipping across treetops, skimming water and bursting through rocky canyons. "A multi-launch coaster reaching speeds in excess of 70mph, the ride will replicate the hunting speed of Quetzalcoatlus, which would swoop low and fast to snare prey in its long, tweezer-like beak. "The second coaster inside Base Camp will offer a family orientated experience. Weaving beneath the flight path of Quetzalcoatlus, through the fascinating landscape, this ride will allow for adventurers of all ages and sizes to experience a roller coaster with just the right level of "thrill"."
Also revealed is an indoor 1,500 seated arena in the far corner of the site, framed by a massive biodome, and will feature "breath-taking" shows set within a dense forest. For an up-close look at Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs and other terrifying hunters of the ocean, guests will head over to a motion-based 4D ride. London resort said: 'It will dive underwater in search of cold and calculating predators offering guests an unparalleled expedition into the darkness of prehistoric waters. At points along their journey, guests may begin to question if they are observers, or prey. 'Alongside the fun and adrenaline, the land is also set to deliver educational opportunities. An enormous play area will be created for young palaeontologists to explore, excavate exciting fossil finds and develop Stem skills. Zip lines, climbing walls and multiple archaeological tunnels will welcome the most enthusiastic of kids while underwater viewing platforms will offer calming moments as families peer into prehistoric lagoons.' An interactive, immersive, dark ride, meanwhile, 'will use sophisticated gaming technology to enlist the help of guests to track and tag a variety of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles in the wild'. One of two food and beverage offerings within Base Camp will be 'a fun and eclectic family restaurant situated along the edge of a Cretaceous watering hole'.
A statement from the park added: 'Throughout the meal, schools of ancient fish may swim past the windows, darting from predators as they emerge from the inky blackness beyond. "At regular intervals, something with a bit more bite may come into view. Ichthyosaurs love to feed at this depth, and diners will have an unobstructed view as fish, otherwise assumed to be the hunters, become the hunted beneath the ocean's surface.'
The park will be three times larger than any other in the UK when completed, bringing together a "thrilling global entertainment destination" full of Hollywood-themed rides, hotels, ferries, e-Sports facility and a Waterpark. However, the plans face a fight against environmental organisations and campaigners who are keen to protect the Swanscombe Marshes.
The grasslands, wetlands and brownfield site is home to more rare and threatened species than any other brownfield site in the UK, and as well as abundant bees, butterflies, beetles, cuckoos and marsh lizards, the land is one of just two places in the UK where you can find the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider (Attulus distinguendus).
In February, a group called the Save Swanscombe Marshes campaign issued a joint statement requesting that Natural England declare the site a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the "rich wildlife" present. And in March, Natural England delivered a blow to the London Resort, declaring the 'wildlife haven' a SSSI. In response, PY Gerbeau, the CEO of The London Resort Holdings Ltd, today announced plans to delay and take some extra time to prepare for the formal enquiry into whether the project will be allowed to proceed, which will take place this summer.
The CEO 'announced the recommendation' to take time to review and ensure the Resort's 'gold standard' case for sustainability following the decision by Natural England to designate the marshes a site of special scientific interest.
“Working with the Planning Inspectorate, we have requested further time to prepare for the formal enquiry later this summer,” said Gerbeau.
“It is absolutely fundamental for us to be leaders in sustainability," he told Blooloop. "We’ve already committed to spending around £150m on remediation, habitat enhancement and providing around 8 miles of footpaths and public rights of way." "Since Natural England designated the area a SSSI earlier this year – it is right and proper that we take a short extension to revise our reports and ensure they address the issues raised."We are on track to create a beacon of world class entertainment and experiences within a world leading sustainable environment. And we're very excited to announce details of our progress with a new land, Base Camp."
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