KENT'S JURASSIC PARK? DINO DETAILS EMERGE FOR 'BASE CAMP'
The prehistoric nature reserve could feature roaming dinosaurs, advanced ‘dark’ rides, interactive dig sites and one of the fastest coasters in Europe
We all did it… sat there watching Jurassic Park and wondering, '“could this really happen?”
A first glimpse of plans for a prehistoric nature reserve featuring roaming dinosaurs and one of Europe’s fastest rollercoasters has been unveiled.
Inspired by the prehistoric era, Base Camp will form part of the proposed London Resort theme park on the Swanscombe Peninsula, and feature an entire land dedicated to dinosaurs.
Visitors will get the chance to eat on the edge of a Cretaceous watering hole or sample fine-dining cuisine with views of a prehistoric ocean, in two immersive restaurants.
There will also be two rollercoasters - one reaching speeds of more than 70mph - and an indoor 1,500 seated arena, framed by a massive biodome, with “breathtaking shows” set within a dense tropical forest.
An active dig site will feature in addition to educational facilities celebrating the legacy of unsung heroes of palaeontology.
PY Gerbeau, CEO of London Resort Company Holdings, says Base Camp’s design is based on a philosophy of what an actual, modern day, prehistorical nature reserve might look like.
“There will be thrills, spills and high energy rides combined with opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures ever to walk the earth,” he said.
“However, unlike popular films that depict dinosaurs as villains, things don’t always go terribly wrong here.
“We are building a land of preservation and celebration of dinosaurs.”
Base Camp will form part of the entertainment complex known as the London Resort on the banks of the River Thames.
The scheme, which involves two twinned theme park sites, a water park and hotels, has been in the offing for almost a decade.
The park between Gravesham and Dartford will stretch over 535 acres and bosses hope to open the first stage in 2024 and second within the following five years.
It is also expected to provide 48,000 jobs during construction and support 17,000 jobs by 2038.
Earlier this year, however, the area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England due to the wildlife there, earning it more protection within development plans.
A review into the scheme is being held by the Planning Inspectorate later this year, with the Government then getting the final say on whether the huge attraction - deemed a nationally significant infrastructure project - will go ahead.
Mr Gerbeau says the vision is for the London Resort to be a beacon of world-class entertainment experiences set within a world-leading sustainable environment.
“We are building a unique, global destination and the storytelling, thrilling adventures, and environmental messaging found inside Base Camp help to reinforce that effort,” he added.
Mr Gerbeau says the park will be a ‘gold standard’ case for sustainability, given the implications of Natural England’s designation of the site as a SSSI.
“It is absolutely fundamental for us to be leaders in sustainability,” he adds.
“We’ve already committed to spending around £150m on remediation, habitat enhancement and providing around eight miles of footpaths and public rights of way.”
Set in the north west corner of the resort, Base Camp will include two rollercoasters, a large multi-media live stage show experience, an advanced simulator attraction and an “active dig site” where younger palaeontologists can discover dinosaurs as they climb, dig and tunnel their way across the excavation site.
The first of two rollercoasters will celebrate the reign of Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest known, winged reptiles of all time.
Set over 1km of track, bosses hope it will be one of the fastest coasters in Europe, reaching speeds of more than 70mph.
It will recreate what scientists believe was a typical flight path of the extraordinary beast, staying low to the ground, zipping across treetops, skimming water and bursting through rocky canyons.
The second coaster will weave beneath the flight path of Quetzalcoatlus, and allow for adventurers of all ages and sizes to experience a rollercoaster with just the right level of ‘thrill’.
For an up-close look at Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs and other terrifying hunters of the ocean, visitors will be able to head over to a motion-based 4D ride.
It will dive underwater in search of predators offering guests an unparalleled expedition into the darkness of prehistoric waters.
As part of the plans there will be a play area, zip lines, climbing walls and multiple archaeological tunnels as well as an interactive, immersive, dark ride using sophisticated gaming technology, pitting humans against beasts in a quest for better understanding and scientific research.