High Court Orders Liquidation, Scraps £2.5bn London Theme Park Plans

The ambitious plans for the 'London Resort,' touted as the UK's answer to Disneyland, have been officially scrapped following a High Court ruling that ordered the company behind the project, London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), into liquidation. The proposed theme park, which aimed to cover 535 acres near Dartford and included a water park, hotels, and various entertainment facilities, faced numerous setbacks since its initial announcement in 2012. Key challenges included financial issues, a significant debt exceeding £100 million, and environmental concerns that led to the site being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England. A dispute with Paramount Pictures over contract breaches further complicated the project's viability. Dr. Abdulla Al-Humaidi, a primary investor in the project, expressed deep personal and financial distress due to the project's failure, describing it as having 'destroyed' his life. Ex-Transport Secretary Steve Norris lamented the collapse as a national tragedy, highlighting the substantial investment and effort poured into the venture.