Concerns have been raised over a planned Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire – one resident, a parent, is worried about strangers in the area where their child plays
A parent living close to the site of the planned Universal Studios UK theme park is worried about the safety of children in the area.
One resident told the Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Parish Council Extraordinary General Meeting on July 24 they are concerned an abundance of strangers in the area might make it unsafe for their child to play outside.
“We’re talking about a whole community here… the children can play out safely in the evening,” they said. “Are they still going to be able to do that while 55,000 random people at times are going to be walking in and out of this village? Would you want your children out playing because I wouldn’t.”
The Universal Studios theme park will be “unlike anything that exists in the UK”, the company has said. The new park, planned for Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire, could feature the tallest rides in Europe – with height limits reaching up to 115m, CambridgeshireLive reports.
Planning documents published in July also said Universal’s theme parks are “very different to a typical amusement park and are unlike anything that currently exists in the UK”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Bedford Borough Council whether the Bedford Borough Safeguarding Partnership had been consulted, if any safeguarding assessments had been carried out, and whether the council was confident the development would not increase risks such as child sexual exploitation, grooming, or other harms.
A council spokesperson said it had “considered the various elements of the application submitted by Universal as part of the SDO (Special Development Order) process”. It added that, if approved, it would “work with Universal, Bedfordshire Police and other blue light partners… to ensure appropriate safety and security is maintained for local residents and visitors”.
Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said the force had reviewed the planning documents and noted the significant visitor numbers expected.
“We will continue to assess the impact the project may have on the force’s ability to effectively police the county… and work closely alongside partners including Universal, the local authority and other blue light services to ensure that those who live and work in Bedfordshire are safe,” he said.
A range of public safety and community well-being measures were set out in planning documents by Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX), but this does not include specific actions on preventing child sexual exploitation.
These include:
- A Worker Code of Conduct for all staff and contractors to set behavioral standards on and off site
- A Security and Emergency Management Plan with a “unified control approach” covering the design phase through to long-term management
- Traffic and active travel safety measures, including segregated walking and cycling routes, safe crossings near local facilities, and maintained emergency access during construction
- Noise limits, inward-facing attractions, and landscaping to reduce sound impacts, plus a community noise hotline
- Restricted public access to on-site water areas, with fences and barriers to prevent accidents
- Food and drink outlets located away from nearby schools and offering more than just fast food
UDX also plans to appoint a community liaison officer, send regular updates to residents, and work with local schools on education and career programs. The proposed park, near Kempston Hardwick, could attract up to 55,000 visitors on peak days if approved.
The Mirror has approached UDX for comment.
The planning documents from July also said Universal “takes guests to places that typically exist only in their imagination. To do this, (Universal) uses cutting-edge technology and partners with beloved storytellers to create fully immersive experiences where the attractions, placemaking, food, merchandise and costumes all work together.”
Guests will arrive at the park’s entrance plaza, which will include restaurants and shops – similar to the “CityWalk” area of Universal Orlando. The plaza and its entertainment venues will be accessible to the general public, even if they haven’t bought a ticket to the park.
Once through the park’s large archway, paying guests will find “adrenaline-pumping coasters”, “mind-blowing spectaculars” and will “come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains”.
Other plans outlined in the documents include enough car parking space for 7,000 cars, as well as improved car and rail links to the site.
The resort, set to be among the most advanced in Europe, is expected to pump £50 billion into the economy and bring as many as 28,000 jobs during construction and operation.
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