Universal Studios SDO Is Now Law: What It Means for Bedford and the UK’s First Universal Park

In a landmark decision for Bedfordshire and the UK visitor economy, the government has now signed the Universal Studios Special Development Order into law, officially granting planning consent for Universal Studios Bedford. With the Universal Studios SDO in force, the multi-billion-pound resort at the former Stewartby brickworks site can move from concept to construction, aiming for a grand opening in May 2031.

The Universal Studios SDO is one of the most significant planning approvals in the region’s history. It sets the legal framework for building and operating the first Universal theme park in the UK, alongside hotels, an entertainment district, transport upgrades and major new public spaces for Bedford and the surrounding communities.

Following months of consultation, environmental assessment and parliamentary scrutiny, the Special Development Order (SDO) approval marks the clearest signal yet that Universal Studios Bedford is happening — and that Bedfordshire is set to become a cornerstone of Britain’s tourism future.

What is the Universal Studios SDO?

A Special Development Order is a form of secondary legislation used by the UK government for nationally significant projects. Instead of relying on a traditional planning application decided solely at local level, an SDO is made as a statutory instrument, setting out exactly what can be built on a defined site and under what conditions.

In this case, the Universal Studios SDO — formally covering the proposed Universal Destinations & Experiences resort south of Bedford — grants outline planning consent for a world-class theme park, multiple hotels, an associated retail and dining district, parking, back-of-house facilities and key infrastructure including road, rail and utilities connections.

By turning the order into law, ministers have effectively created a bespoke planning regime for the Universal Studios Bedford site. Detailed designs will still need to comply with strict design codes, environmental limits and community protections written directly into the SDO.

How the Special Development Order became law

The journey to today’s decision began when Universal purchased hundreds of acres of former industrial land at Stewartby in late 2023, before publicly confirming plans for a major UK theme park resort in early 2024. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities then launched a formal consultation on the draft Universal Studios SDO, inviting responses from residents, local councils, businesses and expert bodies.

Feedback from Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and thousands of local residents led to a series of refinements to the draft order, including clearer commitments on transport, air quality, noise, night-time lighting and green buffers between the resort and neighbouring villages.

“This Special Development Order is the product of robust public engagement and detailed scrutiny,” said a spokesperson for Universal Destinations & Experiences. “With the Universal Studios SDO now law, we can press ahead with confidence, working closely with our Bedfordshire partners to deliver a resort the region can be proud of.”

After parliamentary scrutiny, the final order was laid before both Houses of Parliament and allowed to come into force, meaning the Universal Studios SDO now sits on the statute book as binding law. From this point, Universal can begin the complex process of detailed design and enabling works, within the parameters set by the order.

What the SDO allows Universal Studios Bedford to build

At its heart, the Special Development Order provides consent in principle for Universal Studios Bedford — a multi-day destination blending blockbuster attractions, immersive lands and on-site accommodation. While many creative details remain under wraps, the SDO spells out the broad components that can now be delivered.

These include:

• A full-scale Universal Studios theme park with multiple themed areas, rides, shows and parades.

• Several on-site hotels at different price points, creating a true resort experience.

• An entertainment, dining and retail district, similar in spirit to Universal CityWalk locations around the world.

• A potential second-gate attraction area, safeguarded for future expansion subject to further approvals under the SDO framework.

• Extensive back-of-house facilities, warehousing, workshops and staff amenities.

The Universal Studios SDO also enables crucial supporting infrastructure, from new junctions on the A421 and upgraded local roads to improved public transport links and utilities upgrades. Much of this will be delivered in phases, aligned with construction of the resort itself.

Transport upgrades baked into the Universal Studios SDO

Transport was one of the biggest themes during consultation, and the final Special Development Order reflects that. The order provides for a new or enhanced railway station serving the resort, improved connections to Bedford and other nearby towns, and upgraded cycling and walking routes to reduce reliance on private cars.

Park-and-ride facilities, bus priority measures and carefully designed access points from the strategic road network are all referenced within the Universal Studios SDO. The aim is to ensure that, by the time the resort opens in May 2031, visiting Universal Studios Bedford by train or bus will be as straightforward as driving.

Environmental safeguards and community protections

Alongside what can be built, the SDO sets out what must be protected. The Universal Studios SDO embeds requirements for biodiversity net gain, sustainable drainage, protection of nearby nature reserves and careful management of construction impacts.

Limits on noise, lighting and operating hours — especially during evenings and special events — are captured within the Special Development Order, along with obligations to monitor and report performance over time. Green buffers, landscaping and new public routes will help knit the resort into the wider Bedfordshire landscape.

Economic impact for Bedfordshire and the UK

With the legal framework now in place, attention is turning to what Universal Studios Bedford will mean for jobs, skills and the wider economy. Project documents suggest thousands of construction roles over the build period, followed by many thousands of long-term jobs in operations, hospitality, retail, maintenance and creative roles once the resort opens.

Local businesses across Bedford, Kempston and the wider East of England are expected to benefit from increased visitor spend and new supply-chain opportunities, from food and logistics to creative services and live entertainment. The government has framed the Universal Studios SDO as a catalyst for levelling up the region and boosting inbound tourism.

Universal’s existing parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Beijing and Singapore collectively welcome tens of millions of guests each year. While projections for Universal Studios Bedford remain subject to refinement, several million annual visitors would place Bedfordshire firmly on the global theme park map and support new investment in hotels, restaurants and attractions across the county.

What happens next on the road to May 2031

The Universal Studios SDO being law is not the end of the planning story, but the start of a new phase. Universal must now prepare and submit detailed designs, known as ‘reserved matters’ in planning terms, which will be checked against the design codes and parameters set out in the order.

Over the coming months and years, residents can expect to see activity ramp up across several fronts:

• Site preparation and remediation works on the former industrial land, including demolition of redundant structures and ground engineering.

• Construction of key access roads, junctions and utilities corridors to serve the future resort.

• Development of the first phase of the theme park and hotels, timed to support a May 2031 opening.

• Recruitment and training programmes in partnership with local colleges and universities, building a pipeline of talent for operations and technical roles.

• Ongoing community engagement, from construction updates to discussions about transport, noise and opportunities for local businesses.

Universal and local authorities have committed to keeping residents regularly updated as the project progresses, with further public events and information hubs promised once the first major construction milestones are reached.

A landmark moment for Universal Studios Bedford

The Universal Studios SDO now being law is the clearest signal yet that Universal Studios Bedford is moving from vision to reality. It locks in the planning framework for a once-in-a-generation investment, while hard-wiring in environmental safeguards, community protections and transport improvements.

As the countdown to May 2031 begins, Bedfordshire finds itself at the centre of one of the most exciting entertainment projects in Europe. Stay with Universally Bedford for in-depth coverage of each step — from ground-breaking to grand opening — as the UK’s first Universal park takes shape.