Overview

• The French operator submitted an outline planning application on 1 September for a site north of Bucknell near M40 junction 10, now under council consideration.
• Plans detail four period villages, 13 live shows, three themed hotels and a conference centre, with phased opening targeted from 2029 and a seasonal April–October operation.
• Puy du Fou projects around 2,000 direct jobs, a further 6,000 in hospitality and services, a boost of up to £500m to the local economy, and visitor numbers rising from 550,000 to 1.47 million when fully developed.
• Environmental measures in the application include new ponds and lakes, over 5 km of hedgerows, 40 acres of wildflower meadows and 20,000 trees, plus a target for at least half of visitors to arrive by public transport with free station shuttles.
• Local reaction is split, with a residents’ support group backing the investment, opponents warning about traffic, noise and countryside loss, and MP Calum Miller insisting the developers demonstrate that benefits outweigh harms.