Corporation’s major hits such as Doctor Who and Top Gear could be brought to life after initial agreement with Hollywood studio over Kent site

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Popular BBC shows such as Doctor Who, Sherlock and Top Gear could be turned into theme-park attractions as part of a development deal involving the Hollywood studio behind Mission Impossible and Star Trek.

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has struck a deal with a Kuwait-backed property developer to allow a range of its programmes and characters to be “brought to life” at a new £2bn theme park and holiday resort to be built by the Thames estuary in north Kent, in partnership with Paramount Pictures.

London Resort Company Holdings has signed a development agreement with BBC Worldwide to feature the corporation’s intellectual property at the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which promises to “combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture”.

The developer said the agreement with the BBC is the first step towards a formal partnership between the corporation and the resort, which is earmarked to open on Easter 2020.

They will now whittle down the programme brands and characters which are to be turned into rides, interactive simulators and experiences.

It is thought, given the nature of the resort – which will seek to attract foreign tourists to the UK as well as Brits who have grown up with the BBC – that international hits including Doctor Who, Sherlock and Top Gear are likely to feature.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The London Paramount Entertainment Resort could feature shows such as Sherlock. Photograph: Robert Viglasky/PA

Other BBC shows popular with foreign viewers include David Attenborough’s natural history documentaries and local versions of Strictly Come Dancing.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to extend fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows and the idea behind this resort is a really exciting way of celebrating the very special place the BBC has in British culture,” said Stephen Davies, director of live events at BBC Worldwide.

LRCH already has an agreement with Paramount Pictures to gain access to its library of films including Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Godfather and The Italian Job.

The resort is to be built on the Swanscombe peninsula, between Dartford and Gravesend on the southern bank of the Thames estuary. The site is near the Bluewater shopping centre and Ebbsfleet International Eurostar station.

Developer LRCH is funded by the Kuwaiti European Holding Co (KEH), which is owned by the Al-Humaidi family, and has local investments in Kent including Ebbsfleet United Football Club.

LRCH is conducting a public consultation on the proposed development, which was designated a nationally significant infrastructure project earlier this year - the first commercial venture to come into this planning category.

As a result LRCH’s formal planning application will be submitted in the autumn of 2015 to the Planning Inspectorate, a government executive agency, rather than the local authority in Kent. The Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the secretary of state for communities and local government, who will have the final say on whether the project goes ahead.

“It is outstanding to be working with a globally recognised brand with such a rich, respected history,” said Mike Bartok, executive vice-president of parks and resorts at Paramount.

“The BBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the British entertainment industry for nearly a century, creating some of the most iconic and cherished characters on TV and radio,” said David Testa, director of LRCH. “It seems only right therefore that its programmes will be present at the new London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture.”

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”.

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.