The landmark proposal, if approved, will bring a world-class entertainment destination to the former brickworks site at Kempston Hardwick, Bedford.
The planning request, submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), seeks permission via a Special Development Order (SDO) under Section 59 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The application is supported by key documents including an Environmental Statement, Planning Statement, and Design and Access Statement, and is officially sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Universal’s proposed Entertainment Resort Complex is described as a transformative development for both Bedford and the UK economy at large. The resort will feature a flagship theme park with several immersive themed lands, on-site accommodation, and a variety of dining, retail, and entertainment offerings.
According to Universal, the project is expected to deliver close to £50 billion in economic benefit and create around 28,000 jobs, making it one of the region’s largest employers upon opening. Approximately 80% of the workforce is projected to be sourced locally from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes.
The Design and Access Statement introduces a “new vision of our Studio Parks”, promising a mix of blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars. Planning documents also reveal that the resort’s design includes structures up to 115 metres tall, enabling Universal to compete with leading European theme park destinations.
Within the plans, potential operating hours for the theme park of 7am-11pm are outlined, with the option to extend until 2am for seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights.
The submission marks the next phase of a planning process that has involved a year of stakeholder engagement. Universal reports that 92% of over 3,000 local residents surveyed during consultations in April 2024 expressed support for the project.
Public consultation on the planning request is now open, until 31 August 2025, with members of the public invited to review the Environmental Statement and related planning documents and submit their comments.
How to Participate:
The consultation is being hosted online via the government’s planning portal, where all documents, plans, and drawings can be viewed. Comments and representations must be submitted before the deadline on 31 August 2025 to be considered.
If approved, Universal’s Entertainment Resort Complex will mark a new era for themed entertainment in the UK — placing Bedford at the centre of a global tourism network and providing a significant boost to the local and national economy.
For more information and to view the consultation documents, visit the official planning portal here.
