What young think about Universal theme park plans

Pupils from Wootton Upper School discussed the impact the Universal theme park would have on the area

Universal has yet to make a formal decision if it will go ahead and build a new theme park on a 476-acre (192-hectare) plot of land it owns south of Bedford.

The company says a project of this scale "could be transformative for Bedford and deliver significant economic benefits to the region and for the UK economy".

But what impact would the development have on the people who would live close to the theme park, and what do young people in the area think of the plans?

'Bedford could be regenerated'

Manroop wants to make sure the site is as sustainable as possible

Manroop, 15, from Kempston, is a pupil at Wootton Upper School, in Wootton, Bedfordshire, which is close to where the part could be built.

He says the size of the site will "impact everyone of our lives in some way, shape or form" and that there were "pros and cons" to the development.

"Bedford could be completely regenerated, we've had shops closing down, but better shops, with bigger names will come and provide more jobs and new businesses can open, which itself improves the economy."

He is most worried about "traffic, air pollution and noise pollution".

Manroop hopes the park will be built as "green" as possible and the large amount of electricity needed will be generated renewably.

'I was shocked they picked Bedford'

Harry said the park will mean that people who live in Bedfordshire will not have to drive very far to experience the rides

"It will provide great economic boost to the whole area," says 15-year-old Harry, from Cranfield.

It also means an improvement to the "infrastructure, with all the investment coming in".

"Bedford is not seen as a globally known area. I was shocked they picked Bedford as it's such a rubbish area compared to all the other possible areas they could have chosen in Europe or the UK," he added.

'Bedford isn't really a renowned place'

Franklina said she was "shocked" to hear Universal could be built close to her home

Franklina, 15, from Marston Moretaine, says she is concerned over the potential increases in traffic and pollution in the area.

"It's strange how it's coming to Bedford, because Bedford isn't really a renowned place like other places, I'm just excited for it."

She hopes older people in the area will be looked after but most of all "a discount would be really good for us".

'It will probably increase housing prices'

Aidan can see the pros and the cons of Universal possibly coming to the area

Aidan, 14, from Wootton, thinks the development could increase jobs, tourism and boost the economy, but there are some negatives.

He believes it could help Bedford, nearby villages and the city of Milton Keynes, and it would be lovely if it created "more businesses more shops or restaurants".

"It might develop the rural areas a lot more than we would like, especially older people that have moved away from larger areas into the countryside - it will probably increase housing prices."

He says young people, who want to stay close to their families, would "not be able to afford [a house] it".

'It will bring lots of traffic'

Charlie said he is "excited" that the park could get built, which he plans to visit, but is not looking to work there

For 14-year-old Charlie, from Wootton, he says there will be lots of "pluses and minuses" if the development goes ahead.

"It will being lots of jobs, but it will also bring lots of traffic."

He thinks Marston Moretaine, Stewartby and Wootton, could be affected the most, and is worried about "people who want to get to work in the morning who live in the surrounding villages".

"I'm sure there's lots of people who have moved away from the larger areas that might want to live a quieter life, they might be upset by the choice of building so nearby."

'There's going to be people coming from all over the world'

Nokutenda is looking forward to the park being close to his home so he will not have to travel so far to go to it

"I think everyone can benefit from it financially," says Nokutenda, 14, from Wootton.

"There's going to be people coming from all over the world, but there aren't many hotels, so you could create an Airbnb."

He says that is what his parents are thinking of doing.

He was left "surprised" by the theme park announcement as says it is "a bit random", as most people probably have not heard of Bedford.

'Older people could resist the plans'

Tom Duffell said pupils will research the proposals fully this academic year

Tom Duffell, the head of geography at the school, says Year Nine students are due to carry out a research project on the plans to look at "the winners and losers and whether or not it should go ahead".

From a geography standpoint he wants them "to think about the wider impacts to the community".

The pupils have already "considered a lot of different viewpoints".

He believes older people, who have lived in the area a long time, could be impacted the most.

"They won't want change in the area whatsoever, and I think they might be a bit more resistant to the plans than the younger community."

'Transformative for Bedford'

A Universal destinations and experiences spokesperson, says: "We have been delighted by the significant enthusiasm and positive support shown for our potential project, which could be transformative for Bedford and deliver significant economic benefits to the region and for the UK economy as a whole, should it come to fruition.

"We continue to have productive conversations with local and national government to ensure all the elements to support a project of this scale are in place."

The say Universal expects between 35% and 40% of visitors to travel by train, with most travel after the main rush hours and the company "takes sustainability seriously".

"It is also expected that Universal would become one of the largest single employers in Bedford and the surrounding areas," they added.

A 476-acre parcel of land, between Wootton, Stewarby and Wixam has been purchased, but no building work has started