Overview
- The project will be Universal’s first resort in the UK and Europe, located at Kempston Hardwick on a former brickworks site of about 268 hectares.
- Laid before Parliament on 16 December, the permission covers one or more theme parks, hotels, retail and dining, sports and conference facilities, and extensive utility works.
- Government and company forecasts project roughly £50 billion in economic benefit, about 20,000 construction jobs, and around 8,000 permanent roles with more than eight million visitors annually.
- Transport upgrades tied to the scheme include around £500 million in public investment, an expanded Wixams station, a new East West Rail station at Stewartby, improved A421 access, and previously approved capacity increases at Luton Airport.
- Universal says detailed design and early site work can now proceed, with construction targeted for 2026 and an opening in the early 2030s; planning documents note structures up to 115m and peak-day attendance near 55,000, while specific attractions remain unannounced.