Demolition under way in Kempston Hardwick
Contractors have started demolishing houses in Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick, part of the area identified for the new Universal UK Resort near Bedford. The work represents a visible new phase in a project that developers say will cover 476 acres (193ha) and is expected to attract up to 8.5 million visitors annually when it opens in 2031.
The Universal development is a national-scale leisure scheme, budgeted at £5bn. While the resort has been authorised by central government, the demolition of properties on Manor Road has fuelled tension between the developer and some local residents, several of whom have remained in their homes despite the clearance work.
Local Conservative borough councillor Graeme Coombes described the demolition as a "significant" moment for the area and acknowledged the difficulty for people living close to the site. He said there was a broadly favourable view of the project, but emphasised the practical concerns of residents anxious about disruption.
"There's an overwhelmingly positive feeling about Universal, but for those people living nearby they just want to ensure that they're not going to be inconvenienced too much."
Photographs and on-site reporting show diggers clearing rubble in Manor Road and heavy goods vehicles regularly using the route. There are at least 12 houses situated within the heart of the proposed site that have been highlighted as particularly contentious.
Rights, routes and reopening dates
Residents on Manor Road were not subject to compulsory purchase orders, but several have told reporters they felt pressured into moving. Universal obtained planning approval from the government in December, bypassing certain local planning processes, which has contributed to the standoff between the developer and some community members.
Contractors have indicated that the road will need to be reopened by 28 November, though it is unclear how many properties will be demolished before that deadline. That timetable raises local concerns about traffic management, noise, and the short-term effects of heavy plant on rural roads.
- Location: Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire
- Site size: 476 acres (193ha)
- Projected opening: 2031
- Estimated annual visitors: 8.5 million
- Project cost: £5bn
- Properties highlighted: 12 houses within the central site
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Site area | 476 acres (193ha) |
| Estimated visitors per year | 8.5 million |
| Cost | £5bn |
| Opening (planned) | 2031 |
| Properties central to site | 12 houses |
The developer has said it remains "committed to being a good neighbour" during construction. For many local people the promise of jobs and economic stimulus is balanced against immediate concerns about disruption, loss of homes and the way decisions have been reached.
For Bedford and surrounding communities, the resort represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Financially and in terms of visitor numbers the scale is extraordinary for this part of the East of England. Practically, the coming months will test whether project planners and contractors can manage construction while addressing the needs and rights of residents living at the heart of the site.
As demolition continues, council members, nearby residents and campaigners will be watching the timeline for road reopenings and the handling of properties that remain occupied. The tensions now visible in Manor Road underline the wider question of how major infrastructure and leisure projects are delivered in areas where communities are already established.
