Concerns over traffic are holding up the planning application of a proposed £2 billion theme park in North Kent.

Instead of submitting a planning application this year, the developers of the theme park which is said to rival Disneyland, are to go back for a fifth consultation with the public.

The proposed project will be called the ‘London Paramount Entertainment Resort’ and is the brain child of Abdulla Al Humaidi, a merchant from Kuwait.

The theme park is planned to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula between Dartford and Gravesend.

Al Humaidi’s ‘London Resort Company Holdings’ already has a licensing contract with Paramount film studios to base themes for some of its rides on films including ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Mission Impossible’.

However, the latest set back means that the LRCH now envisages submitting a planning application at some point in 2017, with the initial 2021 target opening date now looking too ambitious.

David Testa, Chief Executive at London Paramount, said that more important that submitting an early application is ensuring a comprehensive and robust evidence base in order to make sure the project is a success, resulting in a longer preparation time.

Mr Testa insisted that funding for the project remains in place to properly bring it through the planning process.

He admitted that transport and traffic continue to prove to pose a significant challenge, with work set to continue on the traffic modelling scheme. The park is expected to receive more than 15 million visitors a year once it has been properly established.

He added that they received a host of feedback at last year’s consultations which, on top of fresh information from other studies in the area, has allowed them to make alterations to their ultimate goal.

He concluded by saying that the firm remains well aware of the need to share specific information related to ecology and transport.