Universal considering UK theme park in Bedford

[MackMan]

I would say Labour being voted in will be a tailwind to help move things forward. I do worry if Starmer loses the next election the next government would go back on this decision.

For me I think the main threat to this project in the UK is the "not in my backyard!" Crowd. What about traffic, what about busy traffic on trains, what about our stretched police force, what about the noise? It seems as though the UK is particularly ample at moaning like Alton's miserable Karen's next door, so yeah I do feel we may see some local opposition because we want change but everyone wants change but doesn't want it next to us lol

 

[Nicky Borrill]

On the grapevine, reliable sources on one of the Orlando forums were suggesting 2031 as an opening year, which I think sounds feasible.

Out of interest, where has it been said about this project having an SDO and what exactly does that mean? I’d have expected a DCO more like the London Resort had, wherein there was a further 18 month planning process.

It was being regurgitated in mainstream media and social media earlier this week, apparently it was originally from a Bloomberg article, but the one I read doesn't actually say the SDO is approved specifically, so I'm not actually 100% sure where that detail originates.

At this point, the SDO part is pretty solid. I too was expecting a DCO, but apparently (according to the article linked above) it's been known that it would be an SDO for a while. I don't fully understand them, they're very new to me. But it's my understanding, from the limited research I've done, that an SDO is the easiest and most efficient way for the government to get critical infrastructure projects through planning. All decisions are taken by the government centrally, with comparatively very little consultation, and even less public consultation, than regular planning, and even a DCO.

Official information is scarce....

Special Development Orders: Decisions

Planning permissions granted by means of a Special Development Order. Only applies to England.

www.gov.uk

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to town and country planning (excluding special controls in respect of buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest and in respect of hazardous substances) with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.

www.legislation.gov.uk

But this is what Google AI says.



If anybody has any more detail to share on these orders it would be very much appreciated.

 

[Matt N]

I’ll admit to being very surprised that they’re doing an SDO here. I’d have expected a DCO like London Resort at the very least, as that being designated an NSIP at all was very controversial.

I fear that Universal may not endear themselves to local communities if their planning is fastracked through using an SDO, even if the project currently seems to attract large-scale support from the local community.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

I’ll admit to being very surprised that they’re doing an SDO here. I’d have expected a DCO like London Resort at the very least, as that being designated an NSIP at all was very controversial.

I fear that Universal may not endear themselves to local communities if their planning is fastracked through using an SDO, even if the project currently seems to attract large-scale support from the local community.

I think that generally, the majority of ordinary working British people are sick of the country not being able to get things done because of red tape. I think most will be happy to see the government govern and actually use office to achieve something, rather than endlessly toss a ball around. There will be a small minority who are against the project, and they'll most likely make a very loud noise about the proper processes not being followed, but they'll be the same naysaying Karens that @MackMan references, the ones who stand in the way of any progress and have held the country back for years.

To be fair this is exactly the kind of thing Labour promised to do, to cut the red tape and get the country building again. They made it very clear that they believe the current planning process is broken, and that they intended to go after it, so they kind of have a mandate for it.

Page 30 of their 2024 manifesto.

The current planning regime acts as a major brake on economic growth. Labour will make the changes we need to forge ahead with new roads, railways, reservoirs, and other nationally significant infrastructure. We will set out new national policy statements, make major projects faster and cheaper by slashing red tape, and build support for developments by ensuring communities directly benefit. We will also update national planning policy to ensure the planning system meets the needs of a modern economy, making it easier to build laboratories, digital infrastructure, and gigafactories. Labour will ensure economic regulation supports growth and investment, promotes competition, works for consumers, and enables innovation.