PLANS for a £300 million history-themed attraction spanning 400 acres of land have been unveiled – but there aren’t any rides.
The famous French theme park, Puy du Fou, revealed its interest in building a UK version of the resort last year.
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Spread across hundreds of acres, the Cherwell site is expected to be situated near Oxford but after speculation the local council has made a statement.
Cherwell District Council have got involved, stressing that the plans which have brought about excitement, are still in the unofficial stage and have not been submitted to them.
A spokesperson from the council told MailOnline: “On Puy Du Fou from our side, we’ve not received an application from them.”
Despite this discovery, a public consultation was held in July with residents voicing their thoughts on the possible attraction near Bicester.
During that time, a Cherwell District Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that Puy du Fou is consulting with local communities as they prepare their plans.
“We wait with interest to see what proposals emerge. They will of course need to be submitted to us for consideration through the planning process.
“We encourage residents to take the opportunity to engage with the promoters to hear more and provide their input.”
It has already been predicted that the unveiling of such a park could offer up to 2,000 new jobs in the area as a result with the site potentially employing 700 people directly.
The UK has been a top pick of the French theme park giant after it revealed its intention to open two new sites before 2030.
Likely to be located just off the M40, the yet to be confirmed plans, would reflect the two locations in existence with the first being in western France and another in Toledo, Spain.
The latter only joined its predecessor in 2021, with the original park being open since 1978.
Previous proposals suggest that a UK version would celebrate British history and culture rather than being a carbon-copy to the French location which sees a multitude of themes.
From the Roman Empire, the Musketeers, the Vikings, Joan of Arc, the First World War and the pioneers of cinema, it seems the French counterpart would remain unique in its own right.
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Chief executive of Puy du Fou, Olivier Strebelle, told Oxford Mail: “We are not an attraction like you have ever experienced before.
“We do not have any rides or rollercoasters; there are no neon flashing lights.
“Instead, we create an authentic, natural and historical environment set within beautiful gardens, which become the setting for world-class shows and immersive cultural and historical experiences for the whole family to enjoy.
“With Britain’s rich history, and with so many British people already visiting us in France and Spain, we have been looking for a site in the country for many years, and we have now identified the perfect location near Bicester in Oxfordshire.”
The Sun has approached Cherwell District Council for comment.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
