Road to the resort, homes make way for Universal

Demolition work has started on homes standing on the site of Universal’s planned theme park in Bedfordshire. 

Contractors have begun clearing properties along Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick as preparations for the £5bn Universal UK Resort continue. 

The developer intends to remove all of the houses on the road that fall within the development area. It’s not yet clear how many will be torn down before the road is expected to reopen on 28 November.

The work follows months of disagreement between the developer and local residents, some of which have refused to leave their homes altogether. 

Universal Destinations & Experiences said it remained ‘committed to being a good neighbour’ while construction was under way.

The resort is being developed on a 476-acre (193-hectare) site and is expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors each year once is opens in 2031. 

Manor Road has become one of the issues surrounding the development, with 12 properties located within the area earmarked for the resort.

Graeme Coombes, a Conversative councillor for Kempston Hardwick, said the beginning of the demolition marked a ‘significant’ point in the project. 

‘We’re curious as to how this is going to go,’ he told the BBC. 

‘There’s an overwhelming positive feeling about Universal, but for those people living nearby they just want to ensure that they’re not going to be inconvenienced too much.’

Residents whose homes are affected were not subject to compulsory purchase orders, but some have told the BBC they felt they had no choice but to move. 

Cllr Combes said: ‘What’s important is for those people who are already living here and who are going to have Universal on their doorstep, that we just give some consideration so the inconvenience is kept to a minimum.

‘But I think trying to eliminate all inconvenience would be near-on impossible.’ 

The government approved the resort in December 2025 through a special development order, meaning it didn’t go through the usual local planning process. 

Image: Tobias Kleeb/UnSplash 

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