Universal UK theme park in Bedford

[Flash Shift]

The possibilities for this park seem endless, but I'd imagine they'll mostly stick to the same popular IPs as at other parks. Also, the cynic in me says they'll mostly go for themed experiences and not have many extreme coasters, but I really want to be proven wrong. Merlin need competition so badly and the UK needs that park that competes with the rest of Europe. Needs a park where things stay open consistently

 

[Graeme]

The possibilities for this park seem endless, but I'd imagine they'll mostly stick to the same popular IPs as at other parks. Also, the cynic in me says they'll mostly go for themed experiences and not have many extreme coasters, but I really want to be proven wrong. Merlin need competition so badly and the UK needs that park that competes with the rest of Europe. Needs a park where things stay open consistently

Definitely. One extreme coaster per park, in my opinion. Probably something a bit like Velocicoaster in the main park, as well as the equivalent of Hagrid's. Then hopefully a Park 2 with a B&M hyper.

...

Another thing worth keeping an eye on is Wixams Station (which is to the east of the plot). The 2-platform version has been planned for years, but the plan was adjusted for 4 platforms if Universal goes ahead. Construction has started, which may be a clue that a decision has been made about the theme park. If it turns out they are building the 4-platform version (as discussed about 3 minutes into this video), we can take that as a good sign:

 

[Tonkso]

They are building for two with provision for four.

 

[Matt N]

In a very promising development, Bloomberg have suggested that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will be announcing the Universal park as part of a speech about stimulating economic growth in the UK later this month: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...on-in-push-for-growth?leadSource=uverify wall

The article mainly talks about the Heathrow third runway, but here’s the key bit:

Other projects poised to be signed off after being delayed are the Lower Thames Crossing, a road tunnel beneath London’s Thames River, and a Universal Studios theme park north of the capital, [people familiar with the matter] said.

I think this is a pretty promising development, if true!

 

[Wandering Northener]

Universal Studios UK - Site clearance begins - January 2025

Likely due to bird nesting season, equipment is on site removing trees.

youtu.be

Equipment on site clearing vegetation, likely to avoid nesting season.

 

[Niles]

Its great to see some news as it had all gone a bit quiet, i really hope they get the go ahead but it's looking promising.

I also see some news articles have come out in the last few days about the Puy Du Fou park that may come north of Oxford : Link

Crazy to think there is a chance (even if a very slim one) that two great parks could be coming to the UK

 

[Bowser]

Its great to see some news as it had all gone a bit quiet, i really hope they get the go ahead but it's looking promising.

I also see some news articles have come out in the last few days about the Puy Du Fou park that may come north of Oxford : Link

Crazy to think there is a chance (even if a very slim one) that two great parks could be coming to the UK

Look forward to the attempted pronunciations!

 

[Swat]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884556305156714988

Hopefully it's now just with Universal.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

What do we think to that rumour / news / speculation that a SDO has been granted behind closed doors?

If true, would this be the first time a SDO has been used for a private commercial project like this?

I can't find a definitive list of all special development orders granted previously, but the ones I can find all seem to be government infrastructure projects, military installations etc, and in recent years, accommodation for asylum seekers.

I knew the decisions would be made in London, but I expected it to be a process more like an NSIP / DCO.

 

[Tonkso]

I can't see any other instance of an SDO being used like this either, but to be fair googling it is a minefield because an SDO was used to house migrants on an old barracks.

You'd best be looking at the Bedford Independent, as they seem to get the Universal news pretty much right on the mark.

In other news, I am looking at moving house. I checked one out at Stewertby which we decided against for a number of reasons, one of which was it literally backed onto the Universal land. I love Theme Parks, not sure if I want to live next door to one though.

Meanwhile, Wixams station, now underway might be facing a pause...

Progress of Universal theme park could pause Wixams station development - Bedford Independent

A senior borough councillor officer said there could be a “hiatus” on the construction of Wixams station if a new design has to be drawn...

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

... for obvious reasons!

Universal Studios UK Archives - Bedford Independent

The latest news on Universal Studios UK in Bedford. Updates on the proposed Universal Studios theme park, including plans, reaction, and local coverage...

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

 

[Nicky Borrill]

I can't see any other instance of an SDO being used like this either, but to be fair googling it is a minefield because an SDO was used to house migrants on an old barracks.

You'd best be looking at the Bedford Independent, as they seem to get the Universal news pretty much right on the mark.

In other news, I am looking at moving house. I checked one out at Stewertby which we decided against for a number of reasons, one of which was it literally backed onto the Universal land. I love Theme Parks, not sure if I want to live next door to one though.

Meanwhile, Wixams station, now underway might be facing a pause...

Progress of Universal theme park could pause Wixams station development - Bedford Independent

A senior borough councillor officer said there could be a “hiatus” on the construction of Wixams station if a new design has to be drawn...

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

... for obvious reasons!

Universal Studios UK Archives - Bedford Independent

The latest news on Universal Studios UK in Bedford. Updates on the proposed Universal Studios theme park, including plans, reaction, and local coverage...

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

Yes, the search is flooded with negative articles and opposition to the asylum seeker housing. It doesn't look like the government keep an online record of all orders granted either, in the same way local authorities need to. They seem to post them for a few months, and then they disappear. Either that, or they've only just started posting them online at all (since the current page can only be traced back to 2024.)

Special Development Orders: Decisions

Planning permissions granted by means of a Special Development Order. Only applies to England.

www.gov.uk

 

[Wandering Northener]

The SDO was discussed openly at a Council meeting back in September, Bedford Council confirmed they'd seen the draft SDO and that once it was submitted they would have 7 (from memory) days to respond.

The SDO then becomes a Statutory Instrument and published, there is no way this has happened in secret.

The issue here is, Universal have not submitted anything planning wise because they have not yet agreed the financials, I don't believe for a moment that the planning side is paused though and I fully expect it'll be all systems go as soon as the financials are agreed and plans are drawn/agreements in place for rides, etc.

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news...or-theme-park-and-resort-near-bedford-4800362 - reported the meeting but I believe it is still available online, I watched it live.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

The SDO was discussed openly at a Council meeting back in September, Bedford Council confirmed they'd seen the draft SDO and that once it was submitted they would have 7 (from memory) days to respond.

The SDO then becomes a Statutory Instrument and published, there is no way this has happened in secret.

The issue here is, Universal have not submitted anything planning wise because they have not yet agreed the financials, I don't believe for a moment that the planning side is paused though and I fully expect it'll be all systems go as soon as the financials are agreed and plans are drawn/agreements in place for rides, etc.

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news...or-theme-park-and-resort-near-bedford-4800362 - reported the meeting but I believe it is still available online, I watched it live.

You see, that was my understanding in the first place, and I assumed that the consultation period would be public. But the suggestion now is that the consultation has happened, and the secretary of state has signed off on the decision, it just needs to be laid in front of parliament. Nothing in that article suggests this isn't possible if you read it.

It says:

“That planning application will be in the form of what’s known as an SDO, a special development order.
“When the planning response unit in MHCLG have dealt with the application, they will write up a report that will go to secretary of state in MHCLG.
“And the secretary of state will sign off that planning decision before it’s laid in Parliament as a statutory instrument.
“We at the council will be a statutory consultee, and we’ve now confirmed that our formal response to the [30 day] consultation will be signed off by the executive.
“It won’t actually come to the Planning Committee, but it’ll be an executive decision,”

MHCLG being the Ministry of housing, communities and local government. So reading that, there's nothing to suggest that it can't have been signed off by the secretary of state yet, behind closed doors. Bringing it before parliament as a statutory instrument is a formality, and the final stage.

I guess we'll find out within a few weeks. I too, dismissed this idea at first, then I did some digging into SDOs, and now I'm not so sure. This article actually makes me think that the likelihood of Bloomberg being right is even higher, if we've known all along that it will be a SDO.

 

[Howie]

<sigh>. I dunno. While I'm still optimistic that this will go ahead, I just get the feeling that... well, putting it mildly, I think we can expect delays. With the best will in the world on Universal's part, I just don't trust the authorities here to get the surrounding infrastructure in place in anywhere near enough time.
Let's put it this way: If Universal UK is up and running in 2030 as proposed, I'll shave my head. And you can quote me on that.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

<sigh>. I dunno. While I'm still optimistic that this will go ahead, I just get the feeling that... well, putting it mildly, I think we can expect delays. With the best will in the world on Universal's part, I just don't trust the authorities here to get the surrounding infrastructure in place in anywhere near enough time.
Let's put it this way: If Universal UK is up and running in 2030 as proposed, I'll shave my head. And you can quote me on that.

I won't quote you on it, I'll join you. In fact, if it's up and running in 2030 I'll not only shave my head too, but as somebody that doesn't like the idea of tattoos (on myself, love them on others) I'll also get either a Universal, Harry Potter or rollercoaster related tattoo as my first.

It's taken over 4 years in Orlando. Even without infrastructure issues, and even if construction starts this spring, there's no way it will be anywhere near as quick here.

(I hope we don't regret saying that, Qiddiya style, I really don't want a tattoo!)

 

[Matt N]

On the grapevine, reliable sources on one of the Orlando forums were suggesting 2031 as an opening year, which I think sounds feasible.

Out of interest, where has it been said about this project having an SDO and what exactly does that mean? I’d have expected a DCO more like the London Resort had, wherein there was a further 18 month planning process.

 

[oopnorth]

BBC News -> Universal UK resort talks ongoing, says government

 

[Dar]

From what I can see in the council minutes, Universal submitted their draft SDO documentation at some point before the Environment committee meeting on 26th September 2024, which the civil would be a statutory consultee to. Final submission was expected in November 2024, but that was dependant on securing the investment decision with central government.

The environment committee has a briefing note update scheduled for their meeting on 20th March 2025, and a decision on their consultation response is scheduled for the executive committee to decide in their March meeting. So I don't think anything has happened under the radar, or if it has I don't think much of substance has happened as Bedford council are a statutory consultee, so there would be legal concerns if they'd progressed already

 

[spicy]

I know still no offical announcment has been made but regardless it is still all sounding very positive..

It's looking way more likey to go ahead than not at this stage?

 

[Disco Lumberjack]

I know still no offical announcment has been made but regardless it is still all sounding very positive..

It's looking way more likey to go ahead than not at this stage?

So far there don’t seem to have been any major issues holding it up. I think with the growth agenda of the current government it would be politically damaging for the project to fail due to bureaucracy.

If I were a betting man I would probably have a flutter on it ultimately getting built.