A CALL has been made for an extension of consultation on proposals for a multi-billion pound leisure resort which is planned on the Swanscombe peninsula across the Thames from Grays and Tilbury.

It is proposed that many of the visitors to the park, to be known as the London Resort, will arrive via Thurrock – with plans for a park and ride by river service from Tilbury.

And with thousands of jobs likely to be created, it will also have a significant impact on the local economy.

The park plans have been mooted for several years after the idea was first floated in 2012, but are now moving closer to reality after financial backing was secured for the project, estimated to cost more than three billion to build.

An application will be made later this year for a Development Control Order, allowing planning permissions to be granted quickly – and that includes the facilities that will be created in Tilbury for those arriving on the north bank of the Thames and travelling to the park by river. The consultation speaks about the creation of a "transport corridor" along the A1089 Dock Approach Road.

However, local councillors in Grays and Tilbury, say there has not been enough notice and time for local people to contribute their opinions and they would like the consultation process currently in place prior to submission of the control order to be extended.

Grays Riverside councillor Tony Fish said: "It's easy to think these proposals will only affect Kent but the theme park is likely to produce a lot of noise that will travel across the river and affect Grays residents living along the riverfront.

'It's really important that Grays residents have their say. Our residents need to be included and made aware of the potential impact of what's happening over the water on their lives.

"Despite four previous rounds of consultation taking place, this is the first time residents in Grays and Tilbury have been included. We are concerned that our residents have very much been an afterthought in all this.

"Indeed, our residents will be more gravely affected by the day to day operation of the park than many of those consulted on numerous occasions across Kent."

Cllr Fish has been joined by fellow Riverside ward councillors Martin Kerin and Jane Pothecary, and Tilbury councillors Bukky Okunade and Steve Liddiard, on writing to the London Resort Company calling on them to consult 'meaningfully' with Thurrock residents, especially those living along the riverfront in Grays and in Tilbury by extending the consultation period and sending hard copies of the consultation to all Grays Riverside and Tilbury residents.

Cllr Liddiard added: "These are huge proposals. The London Resort will be bigger than Alton Towers, making it the largest theme park in Britain and the biggest constructed in Europe since Disneyland Paris. If visitors are supposed to park in our town before taking boats to Kent, Tilbury residents need to have their say."

The park is scheduled to open in 2024 and the current deadline for consultation responses is 21 September. A series of webinars are also scheduled for residents to find out more about the proposals.

Consultation materials are all available here.

Upcoming webinar events:

Tuesday, 1 September 19:00-20:30. To register click here.

To view the webinar presentation, click here.

Telephone surgeries: You can arrange a time to talk to one of the resort team planners. These can be booked by calling 0800 470 0043 or email to [email protected].