Universal theme park sparks ‘fear of losing homes’ in Bedford

Helen MulroyBBC Information, BedfordshireReporting fromKempston HardwickBBCA charity stated it was involved in regards to the affect hundreds of latest staff would have on a city’s property marketA charity warned constructing Europe’s first Common theme park would put individuals prone to dropping their houses.Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer confirmed in April the attraction can be constructed on the previous Kempston Hardwick brickworks close to Bedford.Charity Technology Hire believed non-public renters had been “proper to be involved” about hundreds of staff shifting to the world for the park’s building, boosting demand for property.Bedford Borough Council stated it could proceed to observe the usage of momentary lodging, whereas the Ministry of Housing stated it was engaged on giving tenants “stronger powers to problem extreme hire hikes”.Common Locations & Experiences/ComcastUniversal stated it hoped to begin building of the park in 2026Office for Nationwide Statistics knowledge confirmed the common non-public hire in Bedford was £1,125 per 30 days in June 2025, 8.7% greater than a 12 months earlier, in comparison with an increase of seven.9% throughout the East of England as a complete.Nye Jones from Technology Hire, which advocates for personal renters, stated: “We all know lots of people are already paying the true restrict of what they’ll afford, and a sudden hire hike usually leaves renters with no selection however to search out someplace new. “This is able to be our worry, because the park builds and property costs go up, landlords will look to money in on that and pressure renters out.”Common stated it could increase the native economic system by creating an estimated 28,000 jobs earlier than opening in 2031, and attracting 8.5 million guests a 12 months by 2031.Helen Mulroy/BBCJulie Ford from property firm Gothard Rowe stated the park would imply “professionals and cons” for housing in BedfordBedfordshire-based property commentator Julie Ford stated: “These in property funding are going to search out quite a lot of professionals on this… the contractors coming in needing someplace to dwell, so serviced lodging might be wanted.”Then, as soon as the guests are available, they will want someplace to remain. The draw back means this demand for serviced lodging removes it from the non-public rented sector.”However David Burns, who moved to Kempston through the pandemic and has launched into a serious renovation of his five-bedroom, Grade II listed house, is extra optimistic about Common.”After we moved right here, this was by no means the endlessly house we had been going to remain for 5, six, seven years,” he stated. “However now Common goes forward, that opens up a chance to hire out the property.”Helen Mulroy/BBCDavid Burns stated the prospect of a Common theme park close by gave him extra choices for his Grade II listed homeHowever, as a trustee at local people group The Addison Centre, Mr Burns added it was essential to verify Kempston retained its spirit. “What we do not need is for everyone to maneuver out and hire their properties.”The typical individual might be 70 and most have lived right here 50 years, so it’s nonetheless a neighborhood and it could be unhappy if that was disbanded.”Technology Hire stated the Renters’ Rights Invoice, which is predicted to change into regulation by early 2026, would go some approach to defend renters however that extra needs to be completed.Nye Jones informed the BBC the charity wished the federal government to restrict hire rises and herald quotas for the variety of short-term lets, and houses used for vacation leases within the space.Nicola Haseler/BBCThe unique hamlet of Kempston Hardwick is subsequent to the location bought by UniversalBedford Borough Council stated it continued to work intently with central authorities on the mission.”The council has powers to regulate the quantity of homes of a number of occupation with its statutory powers if required sooner or later,” it stated.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Native Authorities added: “Our Renters’ Rights Invoice will ship a long-overdue transformation of personal renting, together with banning Part 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.”We don’t assist hire controls. We’re taking motion to cap advance funds to 1 month’s hire, finish unfair bidding wars, and provides tenants stronger powers to problem extreme hire hikes.”Common has formally submitted a planning permission request to the federal government, with their present goal being to open the park in 2031. The corporate has been contacted for remark.