Villagers’ approval for a 480-acre theme park in the heart of the English countryside is far from Universal amid traffic and flooding fears.
Movie giant Universal Studios is ‘exploring’ the idea of creating a huge park and resort in the model village of Stewartby, Bedfordshire, home to 1,121 residents.
The plans are still in ‘very early stages’, according to Universal bosses, and it could be months before a decision to go ahead and emulate the likes of its Orlando resort – but locals are already making their feelings clear, before in favour and against.
Stewartby – 60 miles from London – was once the home to the largest brickworks in the world, producing 500million bricks at its peak.
NBCUniversal’s theme park arm Universal Destinations and Experiences already has resorts in Orlando and Hollywood as well as Osaka, Japan, and Beijing in China – including Super Nintendo World opened by Universal Studios Hollywood last year.
Fireworks conclude the Super Nintendo World’s grand opening by Universal Studios Hollywood in February last year
Stewartby Village Centre in Bedfordshire is just a stone’s throw from a former brickworks and a 480-acre plot of land now earmarked for a potential theme park
The 480-acre site in Stewartby, between Bedford and Milton Keynes, has been bought by Universal Destinations and Experiences, the theme park arm of NBCUniversal
While many Stewartby villagers think the Universal Studios theme park could be good for the area, others worry about traffic threatening to hit the small community.
Karla Robertson, 30, a beauty therapist at The Bronzing Shop in Stewartby, warned that traffic from the mooted theme park would be ‘horrendous’.
She said: ‘I feel sorry for the houses around Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick because all it takes is a problem on the M1 before everybody starts coming up the A142.
‘Any new traffic that the new theme park might bring in will just make things horrendous – it will be carnage.’
Miss Robertson, who lives in nearby Kempston, described Stewartby as a ‘small close-kit community’ that already suffers from flooding, and fears the theme park could make it worse.
She said: ‘It’s known for flooding around here, even down to Marston Moretaine.
‘If it floods in Northampton, all the water from the River Nene comes down here – I would like to know if they’ve thought about any flood defences otherwise no one will want to go.’
Miss Robertson did suggest there would be some positives if Universal Studios decide to go ahead.
She said: ‘Now the chimneys from the brickworks are gone, it seems like Stewartby is becoming more modern with the new housing estates.
‘My brother lives in Wootten, a nearby village, and he said he would move and rent out his house as an Airbnb for people to stay in.
‘If house prices do go up, it might mean that more people will think about selling and getting more for their money.’
Shane Walker, the steward of the local community’s Stewartby Club, agreed that traffic threatened to become a problem for the quaint village – but added that the proposed plans would ‘put Stewartby on the map’.
He said: ‘I think they should be allowed to build here around the brickworks – it’s a lot more exciting than any more houses. It will put Stewartby on the map.’
Existing attractions run by the firm include a Universal Studios theme park in Singapore
Beauty therapist Karla Robertson, 30, worries that major developments in the village of Stewartby could exacerbate existing flooding risks
Stewartby Club steward Shane Walker, is among those welcoming the potential Universal Studios theme park which he believes would help put the village ‘on the map’
Mr Walker, 37, who has lived here for 11 years, said locals were sad when Stewartby Brickwork’s chimneys were demolished but insisted the theme park would give people ‘a bit more to do around here’.
He said: ‘I think residents who have lived here for longer are used to having peace and quiet, but we’ll have to see what happens when they actually start building.’
Mr Walker is often behind the bar at the club and said they always have workmen popping in for a drink.
He said: ‘Out of our customers that do come in, some are worried about the traffic. There only needs to be a blockage on the A142 for the traffic to back up.’
Alom Nahibur, manager of boutique events venue Marquee Bedford, which sits outside the land where Universal Studios plan to build on in Kempston Hardwick, said he hoped any ambitious plans would not ‘fizzle out’.
Mr Nahibur, 45, said: ‘I think it’s good for the local community – any marketing is good marketing.
‘We don’t want people to bypass Stewartby, Kempston Hardwick or Bedford as quite often people end up going to Milton Keynes or Cambridge.’
The father-of-three dismissed any concerns about a harmful effect of a theme park might have on his business, even if built right outside.
He said: ‘We don’t know how it’ll affect us yet as it is really early days but as far as I can see, if anything it will be good for us.
‘We haven’t had any correspondence from Universal but I don’t blame them – as long as they’re talking to the council and the right consultations are going ahead, we’ll be told in due course.
‘Villages around here are expanding and expanding, so changes have to be made some time.’
Nathan Quigley, a builder who grew up in Bedford, has had to halt renovations on his cottage which have so far cost him £100,000.
Mr Quigley, 49, and his partner Michelle Marlton, live on Manor Road which backs directly on to the land bought by the movie giant.
Nathan Quigley, 49, has put on hold planned £180,000 renovations at his home backing on to the 480-acre site after it was bought by Universal
Mr Quigley and his partner Michelle Marlton believe – as do other neighbours – their homes could be bought up by Universal as part of the theme park plans
The site in Stewartby has been derelict for years, after previously being home to what was once the world’s largest brickworks
The purchase by Universal has been described by supporters as ‘a huge win for Bedford’
The couple decided to send away builders who were working on their home in December, after the news of the planned theme park broke.
Mr Quigley said he wanted to wait to see whether their house would be bought by Universal, before ploughing ahead with their dream home.
He said: ‘We’re sitting on a goldmine here as we’re sat in the countryside, but with a direct link to London with our station.
‘I have massive plans for this house – I’ve spent £100,000 so far and I expect to spend another £80,000 making it perfect.
‘But I think the theme park is a huge win for Bedford and the UK and I will be asking for a VIP pass.’
His partner Michelle, 36, added: ‘We’d like to know what’s happening as we’ve had to stop all of our building work in case we move.
‘There’s been a lot of happy memories in this house and it would be sad if we needed to relocate.
‘But we’re prepared to do it as we’re realistic and to have a theme park like the Universal one on our doorstep would be great.’
The couple said they had been told residents of four homes along Manor Road had signed NDAs preventing them from talking about plans for the park.
And they thought most people living along the eight-house street were now expecting to be ‘bought out’ by Universal and would have to move.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, agreed that he expected his home to be bought.
News of the Universal purchase was greeted on Monday by Bedford mayor Tom Wootton saying: ‘The suggestion of a major business investment is of course positive.
‘Nevertheless, these are early days and much detailed work is required before any decisions are made.
Movie giant Universal has a welcoming globe at the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood
The 1,121-population village Stewartby is served by local railway station Kempston Hardwick
Bedford mayor Tom Wootton says Universal’s investment could be ‘transformative’
‘We very much welcome and are excited by the interest from Universal and the immense potential for it to be transformative for the borough.
‘We’re committed to ensure that any plans align with the best interests of our residents.
‘I have been hosting regular meetings with representatives from Universal Studios since May and I am facilitating briefing sessions with local stakeholders including ward councillors and parish councils.’
Universal Destinations and Experiences have launched a website to keep locals updated on the potential development.