London Resort to be net-zero

The company behind The London Resort – a theme park currently being planned in the south of the United Kingdom – has said the attraction will pursue a net-zero emissions goal. 

London Resort Company Holdings, which has just released new concept images of the £3.5 billion (€4.2 billion) development, said it aims to make The London Resort the most sustainable major theme park destination in the world.

Last month the company signed a 25-year concession with EDF Energy that will see all the park’s energy needs being met by onsite power generation.

At the time, PY Gerbeau, London Resort Company Holdings’ CEO, said, “The London Resort is committed to using low-carbon energy to power our park. Through working with EDF Energy, we are exploring new and innovative ways of making the resort as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible. This is a top priority for us, as it will be for our visitors long into the future.”

Both low-carbon and renewable technologies, such as solar panels, will be used alongside EV charging points and battery storage as the park pursues a net-zero-emissions goal.

Referred to as one of the most ambitious theme park projects ever in Europe, the development will eventually comprise two parks, with the first gate due to open in 2024 and the second expected to open in 2029.

The theme park, which will sit on the banks of the River Thames covering an area of over 2.1 million m² (535 acres) will include hotels, a ‘high street’ shopping area, restaurants, a convention centre and water park.

Six differently themed lands containing rides, activities, shows and other attractions have been planned. They are currently named as The Woods, The Kingdom, The Jungle, The Isles, The Studio and The Starport.

In a statement released this week, Gerbeau, said, “We have three guidelines we work to when it comes to developing attractions. Number one is innovation. We’re not here to copy what’s been done before, even if it has been successful. Number two is relevance. We need to consider that the customers of today will not be the customers of 2024. And the third is flexibility. We need to create a park that can evolve and adapt easily.”

Numerous companies and organisations are involved in the project, including BBC Studios, ITV Studios and Paramount Pictures.

London Resort Company Holdings said it will submit a planning application for the theme park in the summer of 2020.