The Big Mack
TS Member
Guess it was only a matter of time. Discovered on Twitter, I don't know which article this is from 
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Potential New Universal UK Park
- Thread starter Craig
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George W
TS Member
Guess it was only a matter of time. Discovered on Twitter, I don't know which article this is from
Bedford's leaders respond to Universal theme park plans - Bedford Independent
This week, the Bedford Independent broke the global exclusive that Universal Destinations & Experiences has purchased land in Bedford...
www.bedfordindependent.co.uk
You can see all of the political spectrum for Bedford seems to be on board the conservative mayor and the liberal democrat and labour leaders all seem to be on board with this project.
So it certainly seems to be welcomed by the council which should definitely smoothen out the planning process, it's a brown field site so shouldn't have any major environmental complaints, only issues are close proximity of houses and traffic.
That's if it ever does make it to planning permission, if they have a goal of 2030 I'd imagine we'd see it put forward sometime in 2024 but I'm no expert.
DiogoJ42
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Metropolitan Line
Yet.
Jb85
TS Member
Disney will probably buy the BBC one day. When the TV license gets killed, it's either sell it off or advertise .
Matt.GC
TS Member
It won't smooth out the planning process one bit. For a start, neither the mayor, council leader or local MP can veto the majority vote of the council planning committee.Bedford's leaders respond to Universal theme park plans - Bedford Independent
This week, the Bedford Independent broke the global exclusive that Universal Destinations & Experiences has purchased land in Bedford...
You can see all of the political spectrum for Bedford seems to be on board the conservative mayor and the liberal democrat and labour leaders all seem to be on board with this project.
So it certainly seems to be welcomed by the council which should definitely smoothen out the planning process, it's a brown field site so shouldn't have any major environmental complaints, only issues are close proximity of houses and traffic.
That's if it ever does make it to planning permission, if they have a goal of 2030 I'd imagine we'd see it put forward sometime in 2024 but I'm no expert.
It is also important to note that they would say all that wouldn't they? There's not a single mayor, council, or MP in the entire country who wouldn't welcome an international investment in their constituency at face value.
It all sounds wonderful now. Big company comes in, invests capital, funds new roads, employs thousands of people, what's not to like?
Until Amber the eco campaigner starts raising the issue of a new species of dandelion leaf that she thinks she's found on the site and is prepared to chain herself to a tree to stop construction. Or Ken from 79 Pudding Lane claims his cats will mate out of season because of the sound a B&M sit down makes. Or the chancellor meets with the local MP and tells him that UK debt interest is costing £1bn per year and they have an 18 month waiting list for hip operations so they'll be none of the asked for subsides.
Bowser
TS Member
I think you're being a little naive if you don't think they can at least influence it.
Some have said on here that it will be a dark ride park. I highly doubt they would build a multi million dollar theme park with no coasters. They aren't stupid, coasters are still a big pull for all Thier parks so I would still expect 2-3 large thrill coasters. There is no way a park this size will be all indoors.
Matt N
TS Member
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- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
We have a few bits of additional information.
A Universal spokesman confirmed to the Washington Post that the 480 acres of land in Bedford were purchased for $271million, therefore inferring that the entirety of the $271million in land purchases referred to in Universal’s financial report was spent in Bedford. This would go against the idea of there being other sites having been purchased by Universal, which would infer that there may not be any other serious competition competing against Bedford for a European Universal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/21/universal-studios-theme-park-uk-europe/
Universal has also sent the following letter to local residents:
Furthermore, a website has been launched for Universal to provide updates on the project on: https://universalukproject.co.uk/
A Universal spokesman confirmed to the Washington Post that the 480 acres of land in Bedford were purchased for $271million, therefore inferring that the entirety of the $271million in land purchases referred to in Universal’s financial report was spent in Bedford. This would go against the idea of there being other sites having been purchased by Universal, which would infer that there may not be any other serious competition competing against Bedford for a European Universal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/21/universal-studios-theme-park-uk-europe/
Universal has also sent the following letter to local residents:
Furthermore, a website has been launched for Universal to provide updates on the project on: https://universalukproject.co.uk/
It's obviously extremely helpful that local politicians are behind this project, for now. But as others have alluded to, if this becomes designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it would bypass the local planning regime and instead by managed centrally by the Planning Inspectorate, which is part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. That's not to say local communities wouldn't continue to be engaged, but it would mean there is more opportunities for central government to intervene.
Interestingly, the prevailing view currently (from both Labour and Conservatives) is that the planning system in the UK needs reform. There's a recognition that the process to get planning approved is too long and complex, with too many obstacles and opportunities to derail an application (e.g. the jumping spiders). So I wouldn't be surprised if a future (Labour) government takes a fairly hawkish stance on managing the application for this Resort, if it gets to that point.
Interestingly, the prevailing view currently (from both Labour and Conservatives) is that the planning system in the UK needs reform. There's a recognition that the process to get planning approved is too long and complex, with too many obstacles and opportunities to derail an application (e.g. the jumping spiders). So I wouldn't be surprised if a future (Labour) government takes a fairly hawkish stance on managing the application for this Resort, if it gets to that point.
Benjsh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Universal Beijing literally opened with just one thrill coaster, two family coasters and a kiddie coaster. That was the point that was raised. Nobody has said they won't have any coasters if this Park gets built. The point was there won't be many.
People who are expecting Florida levels from the off will no doubt be the ones who are most disappointed.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
An easy thing to forget is that the Florida resort took 30 years to get to where it is now. It’s also the only two-park resort that Universal operates.
My personal feeling is that if a park opens in Bedford, the initial opening coaster lineup would maybe consist of one signature outdoor thrill coaster (along the lines of Decepticoaster in Beijing or Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon in Singapore) and some family coasters. Maybe an enclosed coaster like Revenge of the Mummy as well, if we’re lucky.
Universal parks are not hardcore coaster parks, so we’d never be getting tons of coasters in a Universal park. The gap that a Universal park would provide to the UK industry is in the immersive dark rides and heavily themed experiences; they don’t need to go all in on the coasters when the likes of Alton and Thorpe already exist.
And I doubt they’d go too ambitious from day 1, either. There needs to be some potential left for expansion in the initial product if they have any hope of maintaining long-term appeal over time.
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ride To Happiness
Probably achieved more in a morning than the London Resort did in ten years.
Bowser
TS Member
We have a few bits of additional information.
A Universal spokesman confirmed to the Washington Post that the 480 acres of land in Bedford were purchased for $271million, therefore inferring that the entirety of the $271million in land purchases referred to in Universal’s financial report was spent in Bedford. This would go against the idea of there being other sites having been purchased by Universal, which would infer that there may not be any other serious competition competing against Bedford for a European Universal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/21/universal-studios-theme-park-uk-europe/
Universal has also sent the following letter to local residents:
Furthermore, a website has been launched for Universal to provide updates on the project on: https://universalukproject.co.uk/
Well that is VERY exciting and feels very real. I think the good thing from an enthusiast point of view is we'll probably know whether this is going to happen or not in 2024 rather than it dragging on for many years and not getting anywhere.
I'm optimistic and borderline emotional. Not able to travel internationally with my son and it always makes me sad he will never get to experience the offerings of a Universal or Disney as i know he would love it so if we end up getting one on our doorstep it will feel like a lottery win.
Ted
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Kondaa
We have a few bits of additional information.
A Universal spokesman confirmed to the Washington Post that the 480 acres of land in Bedford were purchased for $271million, therefore inferring that the entirety of the $271million in land purchases referred to in Universal’s financial report was spent in Bedford. This would go against the idea of there being other sites having been purchased by Universal, which would infer that there may not be any other serious competition competing against Bedford for a European Universal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/21/universal-studios-theme-park-uk-europe/
Universal has also sent the following letter to local residents:
Furthermore, a website has been launched for Universal to provide updates on the project on: https://universalukproject.co.uk/
Can I just say Matt your contributions and updates to this thread are fantastic! You've been smashing it with finding details like this and it's getting me excited and more hopeful. Well done mate
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
The good thing with this project is that if Universal do deem the site to be feasible, and they get permission to build as per their plans, then they absolutely have the money and resources to go ahead.
The London Resort had none of that. All along they were desperate to find financing that was never forthcoming. So even if they did get round to submitting their masterplan and getting planning permission, they were never in a position to build a theme park.
If there are indeed diggers doing some work on the site, that could well be part of the feasibility studies. They’ll need a thorough understanding of the ground and soil conditions across the site.
It's good to see Universal fast out the gate with contacting local residents. If they can try and get the majority onboard by being open and honest it will build trust. There will always be those who oppose it but it a good sign they are serious.
I'm wondering if the excavations are to look at what lies under the site which may shape any potential plan for the park. I can't believe how much has actually happened in the last couple of weeks.
I'm wondering if the excavations are to look at what lies under the site which may shape any potential plan for the park. I can't believe how much has actually happened in the last couple of weeks.
Dave
TS Founding Member
Just to note and I think this is important for everyone’s blood pressure the letter was very clear to state that “there might not be any updates in the near term” and that this is still a “potential project”.
So nothing is set in stone and it will likely be a few years before construction begins if it does go ahead.
I think Universal are keen, I suspect the major question will be whether the government will invest in the road network and train connectivity. Without those two things it might become untenable.
So nothing is set in stone and it will likely be a few years before construction begins if it does go ahead.
I think Universal are keen, I suspect the major question will be whether the government will invest in the road network and train connectivity. Without those two things it might become untenable.