Today is a significant day in the planning of Universal Studios in Bedford, UK. The government has issued a Special Development Order (SDO) granting the development of the Entertainment Resort Complex, coming into effect on 12th January 2026.
The letter from Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to Mohammad Yasin MP for the Bedford area reads:
“Dear Mohammad,
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.
The Order was laid following a request from Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) that I grant planning permission for the development of an Entertainment Resort Complex at Kempston Hardwick, Bedford and do so by making an SDO.
The Order grants planning permission (subject to conditions) for an Entertainment Resort Complex (ERC) and associated development at the former brickworks and neighbouring land at Kempston Hardwick, Bedford (the site). The site is around 268 hectares, and the project would include theme parks), visitor accommodation, retail, dining, sports and conference facilities and associated landscaping and utility infrastructure. It would also provide improvements to the travel network including new entrances and exits from the A421, a bigger train station on the Thameslink / Midland Main Line at Wixams, and upgrades to Manor Road and other local roads.
The development is intended to support significant inward investment and contribute to the UK’s visitor economy and creative industries. It is expected to attract between 8.5 and 12 million visitors annually and create substantial employment opportunities.
I have made this decision without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice presented to me. My officials will be happy to respond to any queries you may have about the legislation.
Best wishes,
RT HON STEVE REED OBE MP
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.”
This follows Universal Desinations and Experiences’ request for planning permission back in June 2025. The new Universal Resort has been visioned to see guests “experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars” in what is described as “a new vision of our Studio Parks”.
Unlike other UK theme park planning applications that we are used to seeing, the SDO has meant the planning decision was made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in the central government instead of by local government. SDO’s are used for projects of national significance, allowing Universal to have permission for all aspects of the up and coming project within one submission.
This is such great news for the UK theme park industry. With the Special Development Order going into place 12th January 2026, it seems Universal is currently on schedule with the time frames that were set out by the documentation released back in June. So, what is next for the project? Over the course of 2026 and 2027, the work on-site would be focused on the initial enabling, infrastructure and utility works, with the resort construction getting underway at the end of 2027.
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