Here's a quick look at Thorpe's promising future, from Thorpe Park's new Medium Term Development Plan. This has come to light with two submissions to Runnymede Borough Council; one at the end of 2009 and one in July 2010 . The plan was the first of its kind since the MTDP submitted back in 2003, which detailed the building of Stealth and SAW: The Ride, alongside the relocation of Samurai and installation of Slammer and Rush. It also boasted a further round ride, the installation of a second Detonator tower and a Lake Show, all of which did not happen, proving that these guidelines are no guarantee of what might actually happen.

The current MDTP, which details plans for the Park from 2010 - 2016, is still subject to environmental screenings and council approval, but it does give us a valuable insight into what the future has in store...

New Rides

In line with Merlin Entertainments' investment strategy, Thorpe Park plan to build a new major attraction every three years, most probably with filler attractions in the years in between. Proposed rides include:

• Roller Coaster in 2012, not exceeding 50 metres (164 feet) high, located either at points C or E on the below diagrams.
• Roller Coaster in 2015, not exceeding 40 metres (131 feet) high, located at point A on the below diagrams.
• 4 - 5 flat rides. The diagrams below show 9 possible locations for these rides, but only 4 or 5 will be used for rides between 2010-2016. One of the locations has already been decided - wave goodbye to Octopus Gardens, which is being demolished at the end of the 2010 season to make way for the 2011 water ride.

And in addition to all this:

• Open Air Stage next to Stealth in 2012.
• Refurbished entrance to the Park.
• Extensions to Pizza Hut, Burger King, Shops, Nemesis Workshop and a new Fastrack booth.

Thorpe Park Hotel

The MTDP notes that in April 2009 Runnymede Borough Council approved plans for a Thorpe Park Hotel, which is very much expected to go ahead. The Hotel will be themed (hopefully to the extent of, say, Splash Landings at Alton Towers), contain 250 rooms and boast a bar, swimming pool and leisure and conference facilities. There are plans to run a boat shuttle service from the Hotel direct across the lake to the Park. There is also provision for a new 375 space car park!

Visitor Projections

The 2003 MDTP projected an increase in visitors from 1.4 million/year to approximately 2 million a year over the period 2004 - 2009. The 2009 MTDP projects an increase of only 200,000 extra visitors/year by the end of the period 2010 - 2016, but this may be partly due to the fact that Thorpe Park does not have the capacity to take many more!

Planning Application Images

2009 Submission

2010 Submission

To view the 2010 MTDP, you can find it at Runnymede Borough Council here. To view the 2009 submission, you can find it here. To view the 2003 MTDP, click here.