UK's first Universal Studios approved for Bedfordshire site with Europe’s tallest rides

The UK’s first Universal Studios has been officially granted planning permission to be built, marking a milestone for the entertainment complex planned near Bedford. The government approval clears Universal Destinations & Experiences to move ahead with the 476-acre site at Broadmead Farm in Kempston Hardwick, with a target opening in 2031. Local Labour MP Mohammad Yasin called the decision a “landmark moment” and said it will be transformative for decades to come. The project had sought planning permission through a special development order designed to expedite the process by bypassing local authority steps, a route Universal pursued to accelerate construction.

The resort will include a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex in addition to a lineup of rides and attractions drawn from Universal’s franchises, such as Jurassic Park, Minions and Jaws. Officials expect the park to draw around 8.5 million visitors annually, with peak days potentially reaching about 55,000 guests. In documents submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Universal proposed rides up to 377 feet (115 meters) tall, a height that would exceed the current tallest ride in Europe and the UK.

Drone footage captured this summer offered an early aerial view of Broadmead Farm, where crews have prepared access routes and cleared land in anticipation of construction. A project-specific railway hub is being explored nearby as part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, with plans to connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford. The EWR project notes that a new station could be positioned near Stewartby to better serve the development while preserving access to the region’s road network and local destinations, including Kimberley Sixth Form College. <br>

Industry and political leaders have framed the project as a major economic driver. Sir Keir Starmer has said the park could create around 28,000 jobs—about 20,000 during construction and 8,000 once open—contributing nearly £50 billion to the economy by 2055. Project proponents argue the site’s height and density are designed to maximize land use within planning policy constraints and to ensure competitiveness with other major attractions across Europe.

Officials say the first construction steps began earlier this summer, with a drone survey of Broadmead Farm in August signaling the start of a multi-year build. As momentum continues, planners are evaluating a rail component to improve access, with the EWR project aiming to integrate the new station with local transport hubs and road networks. The broader aim is to create a destination that aligns with regional growth while delivering a high-profile cultural and entertainment asset for the UK.

In addition to the theme park and hotel, the development is expected to host a retail and entertainment complex, with the potential for additional dining and experiences to accompany rides themed around Universal franchises. The local economy is expected to benefit from direct construction jobs in the near term and long-term employment once the park opens, alongside broader regional development spurred by increased tourism and related investment. Still, officials emphasize careful integration with existing communities and transport networks as the project advances toward a definitive construction schedule and timetable for operational readiness by 2031.