Huge blow for families as new Legoland theme park scrapped

A HUGE new Legoland theme park that would have been even bigger than the UK resort has been scrapped.

Last year, Merlin, who owns Legoland, confirmed plans to build a new Legoland in Belgium, near Charleroi Airport.

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The €400million project was set to open in 2027 across 70 hectares – larger than Legoland Windsor’s 61 hectares.

However the region of Wallonia’s economy minister Willy Borus confirmed that the project has since been abandoned.

He told local media: “The Merlin group has just announced its decision not to commit to the construction of a new Legoland park in Belgium.

“The group took this decision following a complete evaluation of its global activities.

“Its diagnosis resulted in a change in strategy to focus on consolidating existing – and under construction – infrastructure rather than expanding its operations.”

Belgian Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, Thomas Dermine, told Brussels Times that they hoped for other “new projects” in the area instead.

He said: “It was an advanced project.

“Just a few months ago, contractors and construction companies went on the invitation of Lego Korea to submit quotes on the construction of the park.

“We were quite far into the project… What remains is that you always have to pick yourself up.”

Merlin said in a statement: “Merlin Entertainments has strategically decided to shift the focus to investments in our current Legoland Resorts, including the three parks planned to open in China in 2025.”

The theme park would have been the fourth standalone Legoland theme park in Europe.

Legoland Billund was the first to open in 1968, followed by Legoland Günzburg in Germany and Legoland Windsor, which opened in 1996.

A Legoland Water Park opened in Gardaland in Italy last year, while there are also parks in Florida and New York.

But there are other exciting plans – Legoland Windsor has revealed a brand new £35million holiday village opening in 2024.

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