Planning permission has been granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Native Authorities, which means building will quickly start on the attraction that’s set to open in 2031.
The theme park, the primary of its variety to open throughout Europe, will probably be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and is expected create about 28,000 jobs.
In response to Common, a part of the event may also embody a revamping of native transport hyperlinks, together with new roads and an expanded railway station.
Talking in regards to the latest planning permission, native Labour MP Mohammad Yasin praised the developments as a “landmark second for Bedford.”
“The affirmation of planning permission for the Common Locations & Experiences Leisure Resort Advanced is transformational and will probably be felt for many years to come back,” he mentioned, in keeping with the BBC.
There are 5 Common theme parks worldwide: Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Beijing and Singapore. Common’s Hollywood resort attracted 9.66 million guests in 2023, whereas the Orlando web site welcomed 9.75 million, in keeping with the Theme Index Report.
Though Spain’s PortAventura resort was beforehand co-branded with Common, this new UK web site is ready to grow to be the primary Common theme park in Europe developed totally from scratch.
With planning permission now authorised, building is anticipated to start in early 2026.
What will the UK’s Universal theme park and resort look like?
Universal Destinations & Experiences has proposed a theme park, a retail centre and a 500-room hotel.
The conglomerate has already purchased 476 acres of land at the former brickworks site and could acquire more to expand the project to around 700 acres, allowing for improved transport links and infrastructure.
While Universal says it’s “still too early” to confirm which rides and attractions will feature at the UK park, some clues come from its most recent resort in Beijing. This features rides such as the Transformers Megabase Decepticoaster, the Minions-themed Loop-Dee Doop-Dee and the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness.
Visitors can likely expect attractions inspired by renowned Universal franchises such as Jurassic Park, Jaws and Despicable Me.
Universal has also announced plans to build a new railway station on the East West Rail railway line near the resort and upgrade Wixams station. There are also proposals to construct dedicated slip roads for the A421, which was affected by flooding last October.
The large-scale development has not yet received planning permission, but has garnered strong backing from local government officials.
UK’s first Universal theme park and resort fact box
- The proposed opening date of Universal Studios’ first European theme park is 2031.
- It will include a retail centre and a 500-room hotel.
- Work is expected to begin in 2026.
- 476 acres of the former brickworks site in Bedford are to be transformed, which is empty and derelict.
- 8.5 million visitors are expected in the first year of opening.
- The estimated boost to the UK economy could reach £50bn over 20 years.
- 20,000 jobs will be created during the construction period. 80 per cent of these workers are set to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.
Some residents living near Kempston Hardwick told The BBC they hadn’t obtained any updates on the destiny of their houses. Regardless of being earmarked for demolition to make manner for the event, residents this summer time mentioned they hadn’t obtained any compensation gives.
