[5] In March 2022, the application for the resort was officially withdrawn following concerns raised by Natural England, and issues with the free port status of Tilbury.
[10][11][12] In 2023, Paramount sued London Resort Company Holdings, alleging that the restructuring implemented earlier that year was unfair and featured irregularities.
[13] At the 2012 launch of the project it was announced that the complex would feature Europe's largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event space and hotels.
[14] Allied to the project would be a training academy for the entertainment and hospitality sectors, a new country park, a large science and education visitor complex and "the biggest performing arts centre in Europe".
[31] On 29 March 2022, plans were officially withdrawn, citing Natural England's concerns and issues with the classification of Tilbury as a free port.
Several companies that planned to support the project but later backed out include Aardman Animations, the British Film Institute,[4][40] the BBC, and ITV.
[citation needed][43] It was confirmed that 70% of the parks attractions would be indoors due to England's weather conditions, allowing year-round operation.
[48] Dartford Borough Council has since published its preference for an alternative proposal for the site, with a scheme incorporating “lower density, mixed uses and ecological improvements”, instead of London Resort.
[52] In June 2020, further details were released outlining the steps being taken in preparation for submitting planning permission in late 2020, with public consultations scheduled for Q3 2020.
[70] Buglife describe the peninsula as “a brownfield of the highest quality for wildlife, as well as a valued community space for walking, bird watching, angling and escaping the hustle and bustle of North Kent”.
In March 2021, Natural England designated the Swanscombe Peninsula as a SSSI for nationally important invertebrates, breeding birds, plants and geology.
[72] Following the ending of the representation period, London Resort Company Holdings announced that they had objected to the designation, and accused Natural England of seeking to frustrate their planning application.
[73] In response, Buglife described the objection as a "transparent PR effort that misrepresents the data of their London Resort's own wildlife surveys".
[76] Natural England “compensation cannot adequately address the harm that would result to the SSSI from the development proposal, as the feasibility of doing this is considered low and very unlikely to offer an equivalent assemblage and richness of species”.
[77] The Thames Crossing Action Group, who represent those opposed to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing have voiced concerns over traffic issues that would be generated by the London Resort[78] Similar concerns have also been voiced about traffic and transport by Transport for London, Network Rail, and local Government leaders.
[79] Writing in 2021, local newspapers News Shopper and Kent Live both queried whether the resort will ever open, given the extensive delays and lack of progress.
[11][80] On 23 November, a number of existing local businesses wrote – along with the Save Swanscombe Peninsula campaign – to the Planning Inspectorate, challenging the approach which has been taken in granting the applicant (LRCH) a series of extensions, contrary to Government Guidance.