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Universal Moves One Step Closer to Building Its First-Ever UK Theme Park
Hold onto your Butterbeer; Universal is officially moving forward with plans to open a brand-new theme park and resort in the United Kingdom! 🎢🇬🇧 Universal Destinations & Experiences just announced that it has formally submitted its request for planning permission to the UK government, bringing the dream of a world-class Universal theme park in Bedford one major step closer to reality.
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Back in April, Universal stunned theme park fans around the globe with news of its intent to create an entertainment resort complex on a massive site near Bedford. This week’s letter confirms they’ve submitted an official request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to approve the project via a Special Development Order (SDO), a fast-track mechanism that allows nationally significant developments to move more quickly through the approval process.
Here’s what the project includes:
- A full-scale Universal theme park with multiple themed lands
- On-site resort hotels and visitor accommodations
- Retail, dining, and entertainment venues
- Transportation improvements including an expanded Wixams railway station and new road access
If approved, the resort could generate £50 billion in economic benefit and create an estimated 28,000 jobs, with about 80% of those roles expected to be filled by locals in Bedford, Luton, Milton Keynes, and surrounding areas.
Universal has been working closely with local councils, transport and environmental agencies, and residents throughout the process. A public engagement campaign last year drew thousands of responses, with a whopping 92% expressing support for the project.
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The company emphasized that the next step involves public comment on its environmental and planning documents, so local voices can still help shape the future of Universal’s UK adventure. Those eager to follow the journey can find more updates at universalukproject.co.uk.
So, what will the park include? While Universal hasn’t officially revealed ride lineups or themed lands yet, fans are already speculating about possible UK debuts of favorites like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and Jurassic World, with some leaks suggesting lands and attractions centered around James Bond and Wicked may also be in the works. Stay tuned, this is one story that’s just getting started.
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