Image: Universal Destinations and Experiences
The government has confirmed planning permission for a huge new Universal theme park and resort complex at Kempston Hardwick in Bedford.
In a letter seen by the Bedford Independent, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said a Special Development Order (SDO) granting permission for the project has been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 12 January 2026.
The Town and Country Planning (Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford) Special Development (No. 1) Order 2025 gives planning consent, subject to conditions, for an “Entertainment Resort Complex” on the former brickworks and neighbouring land at Kempston Hardwick.
The news comes almost two years to the day (19 December 2023) since the Bedford Independent broke the world-wide exclusive that Comcast was planning to build a new theme park on land in Bedford Borough.
Read: Universal Studios confirm they are planning a theme park in Bedford Borough
What has been approved
How the new Bedford Borough-based Universal Studios UK theme Park might look. Image: NBCUniversal
The Order covers around 268 hectares and allows Universal Destinations & Experiences to develop:
- One or more theme parks
- Visitor accommodation
- Retail and dining
- Sports and conference facilities
- Associated landscaping and utility infrastructure
The development is described as an “Entertainment Resort Complex (ERC) and associated development” at Kempston Hardwick, Bedford.
Major transport upgrades included
The SDO also permits significant changes to local and strategic transport links, including:
- New entrances and exits from the A421
- A larger train station on the Thameslink/Midland Main Line at Wixams
- Upgrades to Manor Road and other local roads
These works are intended to support access to the site for millions of visitors each year.
Visitors, jobs and investment
Wixams Station Artist Impression. Image: Bedford Borough Council
The secretary of state’s letter says the resort is expected to attract between 8.5 and 12 million visitors annually.
The project is described as supporting “significant inward investment” and contributing to the UK’s visitor economy and creative industries, as well as creating “substantial employment opportunities”.
Further detail on conditions, timescales and next steps is expected to follow as the Special Development Order comes into force and the developer begins to bring forward detailed plans.
While more is expected from Universal Destinations & Experiences later today, upon hearing the news, in an email to us, Page Thompson, their President of New Ventures, paid tribute to Bedfordians and others for their support of the project during its planning stage.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation for the continued engagement from Bedford and the various communities surrounding our site, as well as the many other national and local stakeholders who have provided feedback and expressed such enthusiasm on the transformative nature of our project,” he said.
What is a Special Development Order (SDO)?
Universal Theme Park & Resorts’ president of new ventures, Page Thompson, (right) addresses Bedfordians at Kimberley College during their first public theme park event 23 April 2024. Image: Bedford Independent
A Special Development Order, or SDO, is a form of planning permission used by the government for nationally significant projects.
Instead of going through the usual local planning committee route, the Secretary of State grants permission directly, setting out what can be built and under what conditions.
In this case, the SDO gives planning permission in principle for Universal Destinations & Experiences to build its new entertainment resort complex at Kempston Hardwick.
Bedford Borough Council is not the decision-maker, but it has worked closely with Universal and ministers over several years, beginning with former mayor Dave Hodgson (Liberal Democrats), to help shape the plans and make the case for Bedford as the right location.
Read: Bedford, “It’s a great place to build a theme park”, says Universal’s new ventures president
The council says the project could be worth around £50 billion to the wider economy over its lifetime, and expects around 20,000 jobs to be created during the construction phase alone.
Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) called the decision “one of the proudest moments of my political life,” describing it as a huge vote of confidence in Bedford, Kempston and the wider region.
He said the Borough is “well connected, full of talent and ready to grow” and pledged to work “night and day” with Universal to make sure local residents and businesses benefit from the opportunities it brings.
Bedford Borough Council chief executive Laura Church said Universal would be a “key driver” for the local economy, helping to put Bedford on the map as “a global destination for tourism, creativity and innovation for generations to come”.
She said the resort is expected to become one of the largest employers in the region once open, with around 80 per cent of jobs forecast to go to people living in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
She stressed that Universal has “a clear desire to work with our residents and our businesses.”
Reaction
(l-r) John McReynolds, SVP Universal Destinations and Experiences and Tom Wootton, elected Mayor Bedford Borough. Image: Bedford Borough Council.
Bedford & Kemston MP, Mohammad Yasin (Labour), has called the news a “landmark moment for Bedford and the wider region”.
He told the Bedford Independent a few moments ago, “The confirmation of planning permission for the Universal Destinations & Experiences Entertainment Resort Complex is transformational and will be felt for generations to come.
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment that places Bedford firmly on the global stage.
“A world-class entertainment resort of this scale will drive unprecedented inward investment, create thousands of high-quality jobs, and unlock new opportunities for local people, businesses and young people across Bedfordshire and the wider East of England.
“As well as having our own major visitor attraction to enjoy, the development will strengthen our local economy, support the UK’s creative industries, and provide lasting benefits through improved transport infrastructure, including road upgrades and enhanced rail connectivity.
“These improvements will better connect Bedford to the rest of the country and support sustainable growth across the region.”
He reiterated the Government’s estimations of the number of people the park will attract to the area, saying it is “a powerful vote of confidence in Bedford as a place to invest, work and build a future”.
Adding, “this outcome reflects strong collaboration between Government, Universal Destinations & Experiences and local partners, and demonstrates what can be achieved when ambition is matched with delivery.
“Bedford is open for business, and today’s announcement confirms our role as a key driver of regional and national growth.”
He committed to working with Universal and other stakeholders to make sure Bedford plays a key role and benefits all locals.
Meanwhile, Green Castle Ward cllr Paul Edmunds said he understood why many residents feel “relieved and excited” now government approval is in place, but warned that the real test will be whether local people genuinely benefit.
Taking to social media, he said the Greens want to see “good local jobs, support for our town centre, and clear protections so local people are not priced out of their own communities”.
That, he argued, means putting affordable housing, fair rents and proper infrastructure “in the plan from the start”, not as an afterthought.
If those issues are addressed and environmental impacts are taken seriously early on, he said the Universal development could bring “real positives for Bedford and future generations of Bedfordians”.
The following have been approached for comment, and we will add their statements when they come in:
- Blake Stepehenson MP (Conservative, Mid Bedfordshire)
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as we learn more.
