New £2.5bn ‘British Disneyland’ has destroyed my LIFE – I’m bankrupt & can’t even go home for fear of being imprisoned

A TYCOON has revealed how £2.5billion plans for a huge theme park dubbed the “British Disneyland” have destroyed his life.

Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi says he has invested millions into the huge London Resort theme park, first announced back in 2012, but has faced a number of problems.

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The massive attraction, which hopes to open on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent, would be three times larger than any other UK theme park and equivalent to 136 Wembley stadiums.

But he has faced fierce opposition from locals, with many slamming the huge development.

Now Dr Al-Humaidi has revealed how the plans have “ruined” his reputation and claims he faces jail if he returns to his homeland of Kuwait.

He told Kent Online: “I am a very private person – I do not seek the limelight. But some disgruntled creditors of the London Resort are saying falsehoods about me and the truth needs to be told.”

He revealed how the long-running saga surrounding the £2.5bn project has left him bankrupt, shattered his reputation, and made him afraid to return to his homeland.

He said: “it has ruined my reputation and left me bankrupt.”

Despite pouring millions of his own money into the scheme, he expresses little hope for any financial return as the project remains mired in limbo.

The former chairman of Ebbsfleet United Football Club told of the pressures he faced from friends and investors in Kuwait, some of whom have accused him of orchestrating a “fictitious” venture to siphon off funds.

He said: “I lost a lot of money personally—a lot of money. And I couldn’t keep up with that, hence my bankruptcy.”

After declaring bankruptcy last November, he is now awaiting the lifting of restrictions that have held him captive in a foreign land, unable to return to Kuwait for fear of arrest.

Dr Abdulla invested a staggering £40million into the project, a sum he initially believed would ensure a swift and profitable venture.

He recounts being told that only a few million would be needed to get the project off the ground, only to find that the reality was far more complicated and costly than anticipated.

With each hurdle, public support waned, turning from eager anticipation to growing scepticism.

As he faced mounting pressure, Dr Abdulla extended his search for funding, turning to family and friends in Kuwait.

However, cultural differences and the rigid nature of Kuwait’s financial system complicated matters.

Some investors began demanding repayment through the courts, leading to arrest warrants being issued against him—a chilling threat that has prevented his return home.

Despite the bleak situation, he remains resolute that the vision for the London Resort is still viable.

The fallout has been severe, with ongoing legal actions causing him to fear imprisonment should he return home, despite many of the allegations being dismissed.

Reflecting on the decade-long struggle, Dr Abdulla, now 38 and a father of two, expresses his frustration at the UK’s planning system, which he describes as “broken.”

His journey began in 2012, when the promise of a Disneyland-style attraction ignited excitement across the country.

The project, set to create thousands of jobs and provide a significant boost to the local economy, has instead devolved into a protracted series of legal battles and bureaucratic setbacks.

As the years rolled by, the dream of the London Resort remained just that—a dream.

No construction has taken place, and creditors have been left out of pocket as the company behind the venture spirals into financial disarray.

The once-promising site is now a bleak reminder of the unfulfilled aspirations that accompanied its announcement.

The costs of preparing planning documents have been staggering, leaving Dr Abdulla grappling with his own financial ruin.

The site, now designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, poses additional challenges.

The unexpected designation has created a new layer of obstacles, forcing the London Resort team to revaluate their plans.

With a High Court hearing set for April 2025, the project hangs in the balance.

Dr Abdulla acknowledges the urgent need for change in the planning process, stating that the current system deters institutional investment and stifles progress.

He believes that constructive dialogue between conservationists and developers could pave the way for a more harmonious future.

As uncertainty looms over the Swanscombe Peninsula, local businesses are left grappling with the implications of a project that has failed to materialise.

With it being the biggest investment in Europe since Disneyland Paris in 1992, there were initially plans for six lands.

This included partners such as Paramount, BBC and ITV, with Mission Impossible and Doctor Who themed rides.

Along with 3,500 hotel rooms, at least 12 major rides were expected, with as many as 50 rides as a new ferry terminal.

It was set to open by 2019, however delays resulted in this being pushed back, as well as the majority of partners pulling out of the development.

In March 2023, the London Resort called in administrators, and at the time time said the project was ongoing, with new proposals to be submitted.

But last year, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, MP told The Sun he considered the scheme to be “dead in the water”.

He said: “In my eyes, the SSSI registration has ended the possibility of a theme park. I now see this site’s future as a nature reserve.

A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson told Sun Travel: “

Planning Inspectorate spokesperson: “The London Resort application was withdrawn in March 2022.

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