Gulf magnates who have worked on the artificial “palm” islands of Dubai have turned their attention to the greyer waters of the Thames estuary with a proposal to reclaim two three-mile stretches of land between Kent and Essex and turn them into resorts.

The islands would include yacht marinas, theatres, an opera house and housing, all connected by a six-mile bridge spanning the estuary.

If it goes ahead the project would be one of the main parts of the government’s long-delayed £9 billion redevelopment of the Thames Gateway, the area along the riverbank from east London to the North Sea.

The bridge and island proposal was originally drawn up by Sir Terry Farrell, architect of the MI6 headquarters in London and designer of the Thames Gateway masterplan.

Dubai construction firms are understood to have joined a consortium of potential investors, although they will not consider going any further until ministers have responded to the idea.

“This would be a first for Britain but in Holland and Dubai they’ve been doing it for ages,” said Martin Nielsen, a director of Scott Wilson, the engineering consultancy which has taken up Farrell’s original idea.

The unnamed Middle Eastern developers approached the consortium a year ago. They are understood to have worked with Nakheel, the company controlled by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate’s ruler, which developed the palm islands off Dubai’s coast. Nakheel itself said this weekend it was not involved.

“They were really looking for something unusual and they were looking at trying to bring their experience of developing things like The Palm and other reclamation schemes,” said Nielsen. “It’s been Dubai leading the charge on that.”

Last week Dubai dipped its toe into the Thames when it won approval for a £1.5 billion container port at Thurrock, Essex, to be built by DP World, the Dubain firm that recently bought the port operation of P&O.

The islands would be between Sheppey in Kent and Southend on the north side of the estuary. One would be joined to the end of the 1.3mile pier stretching into the sea from the Essex town.

The plans envisage creating large towns on both islands and a marina on the south of the main island. This would be the first point of call for yachts travelling from Europe to London.

The seafront would be lined with shops, cafes and apartments. The setting for residents, however, would have a different flavour from the palm and “world map” islands in the turquoise waters of the Gulf.

Summer temperatures in north Kent are about 20C, much lower than in Dubai. Less hardy sunbathers may also be deterred by winds from the North Sea. Beaches will face away from the strong currents created by partially blocking the estuary.

Architects believe the islands would also help to protect London from tidal surges, which could become a greater danger if sea levels rise.

The centrepiece of the development would be an arch formed by two 450ft-high piers suspending the bridge, high enough for any ship to pass under.

The idea of a bridge is backed by Kent county council. The Department for Transport also confirmed it was investigating options for providing additional capacity in the area".

A succession of ministers, including John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister, and Yvette Cooper, the former housing minister now at the Treasury, have been criticised for failing to decide on the Thames Gateway plan which calls for 160,000 homes and 180,000 jobs by 2016.

Farrell hopes the gateway can be changed into the world’s first “eco-region”, with developments in protected countryside and parkland. “It encompasses a rich mix of rural and urban landscapes,” he said. “My role as design champion for the Gateway parklands is all about improving links in the region and reconnecting people to the landscape. It’s ambitious stuff, and I’m hopeful the local and national leadership is there to develop and deliver the vision.”

Eric Pickles, shadow communities secretary, said the government should take the islands and bridge proposal seriously. “We need this crossing. If we’re not careful, the gateway is going to be just a commuter dormitory.”

Somerset sale

The government is to sell a wing of one of Britain’s most historic public buildings for redevelopment as a luxury hotel, writes Richard Brooks.

After years of wrangling over the future of Somerset House in London, former home of the country’s records of births, marriages and deaths, the Department for Culture and the Somerset House Trust are now close to concluding a £50m sale.

The deal is being negotiated with GuestInvest, a hotel company founded by the British entrepreneur Johnny Sandelson, who plans to build a 135-room luxury establishment to rival the nearby Savoy.

The deal to sell a long lease on the New Wing, the westernmost part of the building, will mean HM Revenue and Customs, which has occupied the building for more than a century, will finally leave the grade I listed complex near Waterloo Bridge.

Other parts of Somerset House are to be occupied by King’s College London, which will have the east side of the 18th century square of buildings around its main courtyard.

The south and west wings will house galleries, art workshops and, possibly, the Institute of Contemporary Arts, which is considering a move from its current base in the Mall. The north wing will continue to house the Courtauld Institute of Art.

The original Somerset House was built in 1547 and was a royal palace for 200 years.

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