Universal Receives Approval for Bedford Theme Park Resort in the UK
As expected, Universal has received approval to proceed with planning its Bedford theme park resort in the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) approved the Special Development Order (SDO) earlier today. Remember when I woke up way too early to sift through hundreds of pages of planning documents last July? Today’s news means Universal can now make those plans a reality.
Mohammad Yasin, the Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston, announced the milestone earlier today via a letter from Steve Reed, the UK’s Secretary of State for Housing:
“I am writing to inform you that the Town and Country Planning (Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford) Special Development (No. 2) Order 2025 (2025 No. 1322) has been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 12 January 2026.”
Reed also shared that the project site is roughly 268 hectares and will include “theme park(s), visitor accommodation, retail, dining, sports and conference facilities, and associated landscaping and utility infrastructure.”
Shortly after the news broke, Page Thompson, President of New Ventures, Universal Destinations & Experiences, thanked local officials for the smooth approval process and said the company will soon share details about job opportunities and partnerships with area businesses. Universal expects to employ 20,000 construction workers and create 8,000 permanent positions, with roughly 80% of those jobs going to local workers.
Infrastructure and utility work is expected to begin in 2026, followed by the start of resort construction in late 2027. When Universal’s Bedford park opens in 2031, it’s projected to draw about 8.5 million visitors each year.
