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ITV Studios has just signed a deal with a £3.5 billion theme park planned to be built near Dartford.

The London Resort, which has been dubbed the UK’s answer to Disneyland, will be built in the Swancombe Peninsula.

In total, the two parks will have a combined size of 535 acres, three times larger than any other UK parks and the equivalent of 136 Wembley Stadiums.

Along with 3,500 hotel rooms, at least 12 major rides are expected to be at the London Resort, with both family orientated and white knuckle attractions.

More than 50 rides and attractions based on popular film and television shows are hoped to be at the park when it eventually opens and the new deal means ITV Studios characters and shows will be among these.

ITV Studios deal

The park was given ‘nationally significant’ status in May 2014, meaning planning applications could go to the Secretary of State and last year, developers outlined their key plans to members of the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.

It had previously been known as Paramount London until the London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the park, split from its partnership with film production company Paramount last year.

LRCH had proposed a variety of “intellectual property” partners following the split, leading to a range of themed lands within the theme park.

Kent Live understands developers have already formed partnerships with Aardman Animations - the people behind Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit - BBC Worldwide and British Film Institute.

'World class destination'

“We are thrilled to be on board with this world class project, which will offer fans a whole new way to experience our brand”, said Steve Green, from ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

“ITV Studios creates more than TV, building global franchises loved by generations of families, and we look forward to seeing one of our biggest global brands brought to life on such a grand scale right here in the UK."

“To create a world class destination, you have to work with world class partners and ITV Studios ticks every box”, Steve Norris, The London Resort Company Holdings chairman added.

“Globally recognised for its rich heritage of creating some of the most popular and entertaining content on the small screen, ITV has properties which have never been transformed into truly unique experiences.

“That’s the vision and I’m delighted to welcome them on board for what promises to be an epic journey.”