Universal Destinations & Experiences, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, intends to build and operate the company’s first-ever Universal branded theme park and resort in the United Kingdom, located in Bedford Borough.
The entertainment resort complex will include a world-class theme park with several themed lands, visitor accommodation, as well as a range of retail, dining and entertainment uses.
The plans will have a transformative impact on Bedford Borough and the UK economy, generating nearly £50 billion of economic benefit, create 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs when the site is operational.
It is anticipated the site will have 8.5m visitors annually, rising to 12.5m.
Works on site started in 2026, with opening planned for 2031.
Contact with Universal Destinations & Experiences
Please visit the Universal United Kingdom Resort website for full details of the entertainment resort complex.
You will find information on:
- how to register for future job opportunities
- how to register for its suppliers list
- FAQs
- project updates
- media enquiries
Universal United Kingston Resort
Contact with Bedford Borough Council
If you would like to contact Bedford Borough Council about the project please email universalGBproject@bedford.gov.uk.
About the planning permission
The planning permission for the entertainment resort complex was granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (SSHCLG).
Please visit GOV.UK for more information including:
- an explanation of the effect of the legislation that was used to grant planning permission for the development (the Special Development Order).
- a statement of reasoned conclusion of the Secretary of State on for example, the significant effects of the development on the environment; main reasons and considerations on which the decision was based, plus details of the conditions, mitigations and monitoring measures relevant to the Order.
- copies of documents subsequently approved or validated (endorsed) by the Secretary of State and notices of his decisions.
Special Development Order: Entertainment Resort Complex and Associated Development in Bedford
Responses from Bedford Borough Council
Bedford Borough Council provided a comprehensive response to the consultation in August 2025.
- Cover letter to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (PDF).
- Final consultation response (PDF)
Planning enforcement
The planning permission for the Entertainment Resort Complex was granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (SSHCLG) and not Bedford Borough Council.
This means that possible breaches of planning control will be dealt with by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
How to report a possible breach of planning control
If your concern relates to a possible breach of planning control, we suggest you please contact the Universal's Community Liaison Officer (CLO) in the first instance.
Tel: 0345 873 5801 (24 hours).
This number should be used for all potential breaches of planning control, incident reporting, emergencies, plus those requiring out of hours responses.
If you do not wish to do this, or you do not receive a response from the CLO that you are satisfied with, please email MHCLG stating clearly the location, what you witnessed and full details of the possible breach of planning control.
Email PlanningResponseUnitSM@communities.gov.uk.
MHCLG will acknowledge your email, look into your concerns, and inform you of any action. MHCLG does not investigate anonymous complaints.
Health and safety concerns on site
If you are concerned about health and safety issues on the site, then they must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive here:
HSE - tell us about a health and safety issue
Accommodation concerns outside the site area
If your concerns relate to accommodation for either workers or visitors outside the boundaries of the site, but within Bedford Borough then the Council will investigate these.
Please submit your concerns through our report a planning breach webpage. This page sets out how the Council will deal with your complaint.