The UK government has granted planning permission for the construction of the first Universal Studios theme park in Europe.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government Steve Reed granted the permission by means of a special development order, which bypasses local planning procedures in parliament on Tuesday (16 December).
The proposed plans include a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring thrilling rides, attractions, and entertainment. The resort will also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.
The 476-acre parcel of land in Bedford, purchased by Comcast in 2023, is ideally located with convenient, fast rail links to London and connectivity to the rest of the country, with more than 80 percent of England’s population and half of the UK population living within two hours’ travel time.
It also provides fantastic connectivity to the rest of Europe, promising to be one of the highest-attended attractions in the continent and to bring in millions of new visitors to the UK, the group said.
The park will be located just south of Bedford, 35 minutes north of London by train, and will join the company’s existing portfolio of theme parks and resorts across the United States and Asia-Pacific.
Universal’s growth beyond this development includes expanding and evolving its existing destinations in the US and introducing new, original concepts to new audiences in new markets across America.
Universal is opening three theme park developments in the US in the next two years, starting with the Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, which opened in May, and is the company’s largest and most technologically advanced theme park, and the first new major theme park in Florida in 25 years.
The company’s direct investment in Epic Universe has stimulated $11 billion in economic impact nationwide and generated tens of thousands of jobs across the US.
It is hoped that the new UK development will bring similar economic benefits to Bedford and the wider UK economy. The park is expected to open sometime in 2031.
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