earlthesquirrellover23
Well-Known Member
Not too sure, but they have been having planning talks with the local government behind the scenes and will continue to do so.
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Universal UK
- Thread starter Robbiem
- Start date
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Planning talks are not planning approval, which is a very specific and very open process in England.
Gusey
Well-Known Member
Last we've heard was that both local council and the UK government are behind the project, and that the park is set to be approved by the end of the month, although it won't be mentioned in the same speech alongside Heathrow's 3rd runway etc. It will be down to Universal to announce it. The UK government has also announced plans for improved infrastructure in that area, particularly a new train link between Oxford and Bedford
cjkeating
Well-Known Member
There is very little in the public domain about what has actually been discussed between Universal and the Government (because, why does there need to be right now?) but when it was first announced there was talk from the previous Government that this would be treated as a 'Project of National Importance' or something to that regard which means it bypasses the local planning applicaiton stage. The benefit of this is whilst it may take longer is that assuming the local planning application is approved chances are it gets appealed at then gets reffered to a national planning level so in effect it is skipping the appeal step. Not that NIMBY's couldn't take the decision to the High Court etc. but so far it seems like the local area is mostly supportive and there aren't huge red flags that could be grounds for a realistic appeal.
Ag11gani
Well-Known Member
Specific legislation would not be required, central government (or rather the Secretary of State) can “call in” any planning application and approve (or reject) it themselves. The Secretary of State’s decision can be subject to judicial review, however.
Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
Is this the first public mention of a UK Studios park?
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
No, Universal launched a website back at the end of 2023.
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
It's going to take the UK 15 years to build a runway on an exisiting airport.
A runway. It's a wide road, built into a field. That's it. It's going to take 15 years.
Add into that it's going to take 5 years of just planning for this runway. And this is with more relaxed planning rules announced.
Good luck with Unviersal dealing with this nonsense.
A runway. It's a wide road, built into a field. That's it. It's going to take 15 years.
Add into that it's going to take 5 years of just planning for this runway. And this is with more relaxed planning rules announced.
Good luck with Unviersal dealing with this nonsense.
‘Productive discussions’ with government on plans to build Europe’s largest theme park in Bedfordshire
US company had been expected to make final decision on 283ha project by the end of last year
www.building.co.uk
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
I hadn't realized this was brownfield too. Comcast is specializing in troubled properties.‘Productive discussions’ with government on plans to build Europe’s largest theme park in Bedfordshire
US company had been expected to make final decision on 283ha project by the end of last year
Anyone know why it is brownfield? I saw pits on the site so maybe lead?
Part of the site used to be a brickworks. Planning restrictions in the UK mean most development is on brownfield land like the 2012 Olympic Park, the docklands Canary Wharf office area and the new Battersea power station complex.
It will be interesting to see how this progresses. As a Brit I’d love to see a world class resort here but we have more than our fair share of NIMBYs who will campaign to stop things - the former planned London Resort Paramount park was stopped, in part, becuase of a rare spider. That said the current government is looking for good news stories so this could get more support.
I really hope this opens and is a success, as well as benefiting the UK it might also spir Disney to do more in Paris, a rising tide lifts all boats
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
so nothing like what was under EpicPart of the site used to be a brickworks. Planning restrictions in the UK mean most development is on brownfield land like the 2012 Olympic Park, the docklands Canary Wharf office area and the new Battersea power station complex.
It will be interesting to see how this progresses. As a Brit I’d love to see a world class resort here but we have more than our fair share of NIMBYs who will campaign to stop things - the former planned London Resort Paramount park was stopped, in part, becuase of a rare spider. That said the current government is looking for good news stories so this could get more support.
I really hope this opens and is a success, as well as benefiting the UK it might also spir Disney to do more in Paris, a rising tide lifts all boats
Saw the rare spider but that site was never suitable for a park imo
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
Brownfield in the UK means it's easier to develop on, as opposed to green land.
An ominious warning is that Astra Zeneca have walked out of the UK building a new plant, due to problems dealing with the new UK government .
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
That was a really bad location which had a lot to do with it. Whereas Universal has chosen somewhere close to motorways and rail lines.
Former brickworks. Should go I their favour as less chance to object compared to a new site.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
I’m surprised they didn’t already have it trademarked.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
It wasn't a bad location, it was prime real estate in a busy heartland. Same with the London Sphere, stopped because residents miles away didn't want Light - even though there was no residential building anywhere near it.
Everyone knows the UK planning system is a mess, and for all the new governments talk of doing something about it, we've seen nothing. They literally spent millions building a tunnel at huge delays, during HS2 train construction to save bats - most of which no one can find now anyways. That's rite BATS.