CPRE Bedfordshire’s seven key asks for Universal Studios

As part of the consultation on their request for planning permission, Universal Destinations and Experiences provided a wealth of material which our team have been carefully examining.

CPRE Bedfordshire has submitted a full written response to the consultation which you can download at the bottom of this page.

We focussed our attention on the sections of the Environmental Impact Assessment concerned with impacts on landscape, ecology, and noise. Additionally, we have identified concerns about the additional demand the project will place on water resources.

Based on our review of the consultation material CPRE Bedfordshire’s key asks for the project are:

1. Environmental Impact Statement

That mitigation measures put forward in the Environmental Impact Statement are implemented effectively and maintained for the long term.

2. Biodiversity Net Gain

That Universal Destinations and Experiences commit to delivering Biodiversity Net Gain on a voluntary basis in order to demonstrate the achievement of positive impacts for ecology and nature in this project.

3. Protect Mature Trees

That any loss of mature trees, where unavoidable, is kept to an absolute minimum.

4. Noise Levels

That Universal Destinations and Experiences should seek to achieve noise levels well below those proposed in the Environmental Impact Statement and work closely with residents and resident groups to allay their fears.

5. Traffic Impacts M1 (J13)

That there should be a full assessment of the traffic impacts of the theme park on Junction 13 of the M1.

6. Water and Sewage Treatment Plan

That as part of this application Anglian Water should undertake a comprehensive “Water & Sewage Treatment Plan” which details the additional water and sewage treatment capacity that will be required for the entire Bedford area due to the theme park and additional linked development.

7. Consider all major developments nearby

That the significant proposed development aiming to deliver 5,000 homes covering the parishes of Brogborough, Marston Moreteyne and Lidlington, should be taken into account within the list of committed developments impacting on the theme park.

Our conclusion

This request for planning permission through a Special Development Order for an Entertainment Resort Complex at the former Kempston Hardwick Brickworks is a massively significant scheme with the potential to bring economic benefits locally and for the wider region.

However, development at this scale also brings substantial risks of negative impacts, both in the construction and delivery stages. It has potential to have adverse effects on the local environment and on the quality of life enjoyed by local communities. CPRE Bedfordshire also has major concerns that the demands the theme park and associated development will place on water resources and sewage disposal services in an area under severe water stress, could present a serious obstacle to the successful delivery of the project.

Alternatively, if the water resources pressures can be resolved, and the mitigation measures as put forward in the Environmental Impact Statement work effectively to minimise disruption and adverse effects, the scheme also has the potential to accelerate and enhance the recovery of the environmental harms caused by historic industrial activity on the site.

Read our response in full: CPRE Bedfordshire Universal Studios – consultation response Aug 2025

Read the documentation in full.