Alien inspired theme park with UK’s first flying theatre to open in Blackpool
A huge theme park worth £300m could soon open if Blackpool Council can secure land for the major build.
The local authority is planning to use compulsory purchase powers, which would mean land and property owners within the boundaries of land earmarked for the ‘Blackpool Central’ project can expect to be forced to sell up so redevelopment can start soon.
The firm expected to dominate the site will be the Chariots of the Gods Entertainment Park which is an indoor theme and adventure park inspired by books from the 1960s and 70s by Swiss author Erich von Däniken, reports the MEN.
The park, earmarked off Central Drive, will be ‘based upon unsolved mysteries of the past, such as the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, ancient cave drawings, the monuments of Easter Island and alien visitors’, Blackpool Council says.
(Image: (Image: Wikipedia))
What the theme park will include
The UK’s first ‘Flying Theatre’, a ride which aims to recreate the feeling of ‘human flight’.
Flats, two hotels and a car park.
The council has said it is ‘working closely with both parties to help ‘unlock’ this development opportunity which is envisaged to be delivered over several phases over an eight to nine-year period’.
Phase one: an indoor adventure sports centre, the flying theatre, arcades, laser tag, bumper cars, a virtual reality experience, an exhibition exploring theories that aliens influenced ancient civilisations and an alien-themed diner, as well as a hotel and an events square.
Residential property, food and drinks outlets, another hotel and car parking is expected to follow.
What Blackpool Council says
Blackpool Council said of the compulsory purchase plan: “To date, it has not been possible to acquire all these interests and the council is satisfied that there is a compelling cases in the public interest for resorting to powers of compulsory acquisition.
“Otherwise the comprehensive redevelopment will not be able to be completed within a reasonable time frame.”
Blackpool Magistrates’ Court will move to the site of the former Devonshire Road Hospital, if the build goes ahead.
Last year, a report to the council’s executive said: “The ability to develop out the whole site and complete the master plan presented by the developers cannot be understated with its transformational benefits bringing about greater opportunities for visitor attractions, local employment and supply chain spend and general economic growth across the resort.”