Universal considering UK theme park in Bedford
- Thread starter Matt N
- Start date
spicy
Giga Poster
Just waiting for someone to find a rare species of spider that no-one has ever heard of to shut down the whole project.
You just know something like that will happen.
Like the planned Therme waterpark in Manchester has just been delayed due to discovery of rare orchids
UK’s new £250m water park with 25 pools and indoor beach forced to delay opening
The planned opening of a massive new water park in Manchester has been postponed, with groundworks set to begin nearly half a decade after development plans were announced
www.mirror.co.uk
Mushroom
Goon of the Year
Just waiting for someone to find a rare species of spider that no-one has ever heard of to shut down the whole project.
Just looked back and saw a spider in one of my videos! Had to clip it quickly, but here you go!
InvertsAreMyJam
Mega Poster
Context, please?Just waiting for someone to find a rare species of spider that no-one has ever heard of to shut down the whole project.
Matt N
CF Legend
It's common for theme parks and other large infrastructure projects to be stalled in the UK by the presence of a rare species of wildlife being discovered on the site.
For example, the ill-fated London Resort project in Kent was stymied by the presence of a rare species of jumping spider on the site. This led to the site eventually being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which basically put an end to any hopes of ever building on the site.
Universal's earlier attempt at a park in the UK 30-35 years ago, due to be located in Rainham in Essex, was stymied for similar reasons. The RSPB had profound concerns about the land being built on, and the proposal was cancelled and we now have a nature reserve, RSPB Rainham Marshes, there as a result.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Lookup the London Resort
Well I know where NOT to go for property advice now.Another interesting article about how the theme park could lower local house prices £50k!
Universal Studios could wipe as much as £50k off local Bedford house prices
Universal Destinations and Experiences has bought 480 acres of land south of Bedford with a view to building a new theme park there.www.propertyreporter.co.uk
Not a chance in hell this lowers prices in the long run. During construction, maybe, but in the long run no chance at all. In fact, I'd give it 10 years before locals are complaining that property prices are too high for locals to buy homes, due to holiday rentals buying up all of the properties, and inflating prices.
InvertsAreMyJam
Mega Poster
I’m a massive wildlife nerd and normally support that kind of stuff. But stopping construction for a spider? Really? Nobody cares about some spider
TPoseOnTantrum
Giga Poster
Bloody hell man, Therme Manchester just got delayed another two years courtesy of some "rare orchid flowers" that need relocation. Pretty sure they're being let off easy; https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...-250m-therme-manchester-wellness-29567225.ampJust waiting for someone to find a rare species of spider that no-one has ever heard of to shut down the whole project.
cookie
Giga Poster
This isn’t why the previous Universal attempt was canned, though. They’d basically been given the go-ahead to use the site, but Universal saw a location in Paris as more attractive instead due to more favorable tax incentives. Then the whole thing was dropped because Euro Disney vastly underperformed and MCA feared a Euro Universal built from the ground up would face the same fate, especially after the Orlando resort already got off to a rough start. Rainham Marshes later became a test firing range for the Ministry of Defence and wasn’t turned into a nature reserve until 2006.
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And then years later Disney said they regretted not building the resort in the UK or Spain. Seems to be Disney’s loss is Universal’s gain.
On Universal, you have a Govt in desperate need of cash. The tax implications of this alone would be a strong enough argument to back it.
On Universal, you have a Govt in desperate need of cash. The tax implications of this alone would be a strong enough argument to back it.
Matt N
CF Legend
Would that not be negated somewhat by the government needing to invest into elements of the infrastructure improvement necessary to make the Universal park a reality?
Geeky Pastimes
Mega Poster
In theory they should be investing into infrastructure anyway, so this just lets them prioritise something they'll get a better return on.
Ethan
Strata Poster
Not sure if I read it here or elsewhere, but I've heard it's possible Universal are waiting until D23 in August to announce some new investments worldwide to draw the spotlight away from the mouse? I imagine if that were the case (not proven of course), this would be announced as going ahead perhaps?
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Another week and another BBC article.
Government to meet Universal bosses over Bedfordshire theme park
Lisa Nandy is planning to meet with NBCUniversal about the planned project.
www.bbc.co.uk
Graeme
Mega Poster
According to the Financial Times, Universal is now asking for incentives from the Government. I guess we've shown our hand in a way, with many politicians admitting they want it, so they may have to splash out. The decision on whether to go ahead is expected by the end of the year.
Geeky Pastimes
Mega Poster
Do you have a link for any of these? Curious to have a look at what's being done!
No - I just work in the engineering industry. I work in a different sector though so I'm not working on them myself, but know people who are.