Major changes proposed near M1 'Universal' junction

Junction 13 of the M1 would be one of the main access points for people visiting the proposed Universal Studios theme park

Major changes could be made at an M1 junction near the proposed Universal theme park.

If approved, 5,000 homes will be built at Marston Valley as part of a series of new villages created on land at junction 13 in Central Bedfordshire.

The plans also included a new waterway connecting existing lakes, leisure and health facilities and better public transport.

The proposals would give motorists easier access to the A421 towards Bedford, which will be the main road link to the theme park, if it goes ahead.

Junction 13, also known as the Ridgmont interchange, is already the main route for drivers heading to Center Parcs at Woburn via the A507, and there is also a logistics park at nearby Marston Gate, featuring a large Amazon warehouse.

Conservative opposition councillor Sue Clark in Central Bedfordshire said she welcomed the updated plans for junction 13

Conservative opposition councillor Sue Clark, who represents Cranfield and Marston Moretaine, told the Local Democracy Reporter Service she welcomed the plans for the junction.

Clark said: "I think it is good they are proposing some fairly significant improvements, and that is progress on what we had last time around, where I do not think they were proposing much at all."

The updated plans replaced an earlier application from March 2022, which faced significant opposition from local residents and action groups. Clark added she was "pleased the objections put in collectively last time seemed to have made an impact".

The revised outline planning application suggested the development would be built in phases and also include a large food store, hotel space and indoor sports facilities.

The main hub would include a secondary school, health and community buildings and sports pitches.

There would also be seventeen hectares of formal open green spaces and about 290 hectares of informal space, including woodland and lakes.

Under the plans, a section of the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Park would also connect the River Great Ouse in Bedford to the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes when finished.

Central Bedfordshire Council said a planning consultation for the application closed on September 3.

It added that a final decision on the proposals would be made at a future Development Management Committee meeting.