Universal ‘bullying' residents from their homes for £50bn theme park
The residents of Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick, said they are facing pressure to relocate to create space for the new 476-acre £50 billion Universal theme park.
Seven homes where the average price is £380,500 are believed to have already been bought by Universal and will be demolished to make way for the park and new dual carriageway.
Some residents have moved out after accepting formal offers for their homes, while others have had representatives visit their homes and ask them if they'd be willing to sell.
At least three of the homeowners have told Universal they do not wish to sell, and said they now fear for their future.
Claudia Pixley, 45, said she felt 'threatened' and 'bullied' by a representative working on the construction site for Universal when she said she was not sure if she wanted to move from the home where she lives with her seven-year-old daughter.
Ms Pixley has lived in her bungalow for ten years, and said she was approached by a construction representative to discuss what could happen.
She said: 'When I said I didn't want to move, he said 'if you're going to be difficult, we can build the theme park entrance opposite your house'.
'I couldn't believe it. It was threatening. We're just asking for basic human decency. I'd like to see someone come round and speak with us fairly.
Ms Pixley added that she and other residents are upset by the lack of communication from Universal and explained that a group of residents had 'descended' upon a parish council meeting in June after not getting answers.
She said: 'Between us residents remaining, we contacted the borough council and Universal – nobody would tell us anything.'
Plans for the Universal park – expected to be home to some of Europe's tallest rides reaching 377 ft – were announced by Sir Keir Starmer in April, and are slated for completion in 2031.
Universal claims the resort will create roughly 28,000 jobs and deliver a £50 billion boost to the economy.
Sir Keir said upon the announcement: 'Today we closed the deal on a multibillion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage.'
Ritchie Wood, 54, has lived on Manor Road for ten years and said he would expect Universal to 'rehome him' if his landlord decided to sell.
Mr Wood, who works in construction, said: 'If they do buy it off my landlord, where am I going to go? They'd be taking away my home.
'I'd want Universal to rehome me. The theme park is a good thing for the economy but there needs to be some sort of fair compensation.
Universal Destinations and Experiences operates theme parks and resorts around the world based on the works of the entertainment conglomerate.
They are best known for successful film franchises include Fast & Furious, Jurassic Park, and Despicable Me.
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