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Water and sewage treatment concerns for Universal Theme Park
CPRE Bedfordshire voices major concerns about the huge impact on water and sewage treatment services from the Universal Destinations and Experiences park in Bedfordshire
CPRE Bedfordshire acknowledges that the theme park project has attracted substantial support from Bedford Borough Council, local people and businesses. It has the potential to bring many benefits to Bedfordshire, particularly for jobs and the local economy.
In our response to the consultation process undertaken by Universal Destinations and Experiences, we recognised that in addition to driving economic growth in the local area the project has the potential to accelerate and enhance the recovery of the environmental harms caused by historic industrial activity on the site. However, development at this scale risks negative and potentially adverse effects on the local environment and on the quality of life enjoyed by local communities.
Based on our review of the consultation material published by Universal Destinations and Experiences in 2024, CPRE Bedfordshire set out ‘seven key asks’ for the project. Find out more:
Seven key asked for Universal Theme Park
CPRE Bedfordshire is seriously concerned about the pressures the theme park and associated development will place on water resources and sewage disposal in the area
The Environment Agency already classes the water resources and sewage disposal in the area as being “under severe water stress”. We believe these pressures could present a serious obstacle to the successful delivery of the project.
In the statement of reasons for granting planning permission for the project, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, stated that Water Resources are “neutral” in the planning balance. We feel that this is far from an accurate assessment of the situation.
We urge the Government to act now and undertake a comprehensive review of water resources in Bedfordshire. This is essential to determine how the necessary water supply and sewage treatment capacity can be provided in an environmentally sustainable manner for the Universal Destinations and Experiences park project and supporting developments. The review needs to simultaneously consider the expectations for increasing housing delivery, including the Government’s New Town proposal at Tempsford.
Read more about our concerns regarding water supply and treatment in Bedfordshire and house building:
