Area of contaminated soil to be turned into a theme park

The Swanscombe peninsula in Kent is set to be home to a theme park that many are touting as England's version of Disneyland.

Plans to develop a £2 billion theme park have begun in the South East. The theme park will by built on a disused industrial estate.

The estate is thought to be full of contaminated soil which is caused by the presence of human-made chemicals.

It is believed that the soil pollution has occurred in this area due to excessive industrial activity, as the region is adjacent to giant cranes and towers of shipping containers.

In addition, the site is right next door to a high speed train line which could have added to soil pollution.

Once soil is contaminated it is far more difficult to grow plants there.

In order to make the area safe and free of pollution, those involved in the construction of the theme park may have to take some measures to purify the soil.

There are several ways that this can be done.

"Many contaminants can be contained or cleaned out of the soil. Toxins that biodegrade can be confined by covering soil with plastic or sinking plastic into adjoining soil to contain the toxin until it decomposes and no longer poses a threat to the surrounding environment," specialist Laura Reynolds advises.

Another method involves heating the soil. The heat kills harmful organisms.

A company can also treat the soil with chemicals which could neutralize it or convert contaminants into biodegradable substances.

As well as cleaning up the soil, the development is hoped to produce 27,000 jobs.

The theme park is intended to be the biggest in the UK, with the idea that people will travel from all over the world to come and enjoy a world-class experience.

Tony Sefton, project leader for the development company London Resort Company Holdings has said that construction will begin as soon as planning permission is granted.