Government approves UK Universal Studios theme park with date set for construction

The UK is officially getting a new theme park as Universal Studios has been given the go-ahead to develop a site in the UK.

Earlier today (16 December), it was confirmed that the government had approved planning permission for the film production company to build a massive theme park in Bedfordshire, with construction due to get underway next year.

Plans for the park have been ongoing since late 2023, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer giving his blessing to the project in April 2025.

The park is expected to bring massive amounts of revenue to the local area, with a new train station set to be constructed for visitors looking to visit the entertainment resort, which will be around 45 minutes from London.

"The confirmation of planning permission for the Universal Destinations & Experiences Entertainment Resort Complex is transformational and will be felt for decades to come," Mohammad Yasin, the Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston, said in a statement, adding that he expects the development to be a 'landmark moment for Bedford and the wider region' (via BBC).

The park will begin construction next year, with the aim of opening its doors in 2031 (Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

Construction on the park is scheduled to begin next year and is expected to be ready to open in 2031.

Once completed, the resort will be the first Universal-branded theme park in the whole of Europe, meaning that Bedfordshire will have the same honour as Orlando and Universal City, USA, Osaka in Japan, China's capital Beijing and Sentosa, Singapore.

Where in the UK will the Universal Studios theme park be?

The park's exact location will be the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site, situated outside the county town of Bedford.

The park is expected to create around 28,000 jobs, including both construction and park operations, for the people in Bedford, central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes.

A depiction of what the park could look like (Universal)

What can visitors expect from the park?

Universal previously stated the park would contain 'several themed lands, visitor accommodation, as well as a range of retail, dining and entertainment uses'.

The company has not confirmed what rides will be built at the park; however, fans won't be short of choice, with existing resorts including Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Minions and Men in Black-themed attractions.

"Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe," Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in a statement.

"We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead."