The Paramount London theme park development has taken a major step forward after the landowner agreed a deal to sell to London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH).

Landowner Lafarge Tarmac, signed a ‘Binding Option Agreement’ with LRCH to purchase the 388 acres (1,570sq m) of land necessary to deliver the development. The land was previously the UK’s largest cement works before it closed in 1993.

“With this agreement in place, the vision for north Kent as the home of a nationally significant, multi-billion pound entertainment resort employing thousands of people is moving closer to becoming a reality,” said LRCH executive director David Testa in a statement.

“It further underlines our commitment to delivering the project and is welcome news as we continue to consult and engage with the local Dartford and Gravesham communities living near the site and more widely with our interested parties.”

The BBC is the latest brand to be incorporated into the Paramount London theme park, while Mission Impossible and Star Trek are also set to feature in the £2bn (US$3.2bn, €2.5bn) development.

The Paramount London Entertainment Resort will feature a theme park, waterpark, sports facilities, an entertainment street, staff training academy and 5,000 hotel rooms.