Representation by Dr Richard Ryder (Dr Richard Ryder)
- Date submitted
- 30 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Our client, Dr Richard Ryder, is the owner of Plot[] on the Land Plan for The London Resort, as set out in the Book of Reference provided by the London Resort Company (the Applicant). Plot[] is intended to be taken for Work No. 1, being the central part of the proposed theme park. Our client wishes to make the following representations in relation to the proposed DCO for The London Resort: • Our client does not object to the development of the London Resort in principle, however the wide scope of the compulsory acquisition powers that the Applicant has requested is not justified or appropriate in this case. • There is no reason for the purchase of the land required by the Applicant to be compulsory when it could instead be acquired by private agreement. The Applicant has not adequately consulted or negotiated with landowners to voluntarily purchase the land, nor taken into account the characteristics of individual landowners such as our client when engaging in consultation. • The Applicant has not adequately made the case that an DCO with compulsory acquisition powers should been granted in principle. A private commercial enterprise such as a theme park should not be eligible to benefit from compulsory acquisition. A theme park is not essential for the public good, and there are no guarantees that the economic, employment and tourism benefits cited in the Statement of Reasons will happen in reality. • In addition, the arguments made in the Statement of Reasons do not show a compelling case in the public interest for compulsory acquisition. • The Applicant has not shown adequate justification for the interference with our client’s Human Rights, in particular the right to peaceful enjoyment of his property under Article 1 of the First Protocol. Our client is of the view that the Applicant’s request for compulsory acquisition powers should be denied for the above reasons. Our client believes that that compulsory acquisition is not appropriate in this case and so the development of the London Resort should instead proceed by purchasing the land by private agreement. Our client will address the issues set out above in more detail in a further written representation once the Examination has commenced.