Universal has officially named its upcoming UK theme park and resort the Universal United Kingdom Resort. The project has received planning permission from the British government and secured a major financial commitment from Comcast, the parent company of Universal.
The theme park will be built on the site of a former brickworks near Bedford. Comcast used a special development order to seek planning permission, which allowed the government to approve the project directly without going through standard local planning procedures. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government approved the plans, with the order coming into force from January 12. A parliamentary review period must still be completed before construction can begin.
Comcast intends to open the park in 2031. The British government has forecast that the theme park will attract more than 8 million visitors annually and provide a significant boost to the country's economy. The project is expected to create 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and 8,000 permanent operational roles once the park opens.
Universal has stated the theme park will feature attractions "unlike anything that exists in the UK". The park could include some of the tallest rides in Europe, with height limits reaching up to 115 metres.
The British government is pledging substantial infrastructure support for the development. The government contribution totals £1.3 billion toward upgrading local transport links and infrastructure around the site. This investment reflects the government's focus on stimulating economic growth through major projects.
Several transportation upgrades are being planned to support the park. Bedford borough council and Network Rail have agreed to construct a larger two-platform station at Wixams than originally planned to accommodate visitor demand. Additionally, East West Rail Company announced that a new railway station would be built to serve the park in Stewartby as part of the East West Rail line, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.
In April, the government approved an almost doubling of passenger capacity at nearby Luton airport, which is expected to be one of the main air hubs for visitors traveling to the park.
Mohammad Yasin, the local Labour MP, described the approval as a "landmark moment for Bedford and the wider region" that would be "transformational and felt for decades to come".
Universal stated in a statement released Tuesday that it is "committed to sharing progress" on the project in coming months and encouraging local businesses and suppliers to work with the company. The company noted the "interest and support" already shown by local companies and residents.