Universal Studios Bedford: Government publishes update to construction management plan
Strict monitoring of Elstow Brook for pollution and sediment is being demanded by the government in its latest update on the planned Universal theme park near Bedford.
The instructions, published today (September 21), apply to when building work starts on the Universal Studios development, on a 476-acre site at Kempston Hardwick.
New rules permit a different location for the construction traffic access to the site, a bigger building compound, and continued use of the plant and machinery crossing over Manor Road.
These documents chart the conditions laid down by ministers through the construction management plan for the £6bn project, backed by a £1.3bn infrastructure support package from the UK government.
Currently, the focus is on the so-called mass grading, which is the earthworks that prepare and shape the site for construction. The government is seeking to make sure the construction environmental management plan is effectively implemented.
“Within two months of the start of the endorsed construction works, monitoring of Elstow Brook shall take place, and every three months thereafter, to ensure there’s no excess sediment or pollution occurring,” said a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government letter.
“Within two months of the construction of the new access, all current vehicle accesses to the south of Manor Road to the Core Zone shall be stopped up.”
The ongoing use of the plant and machinery crossing over Manor Road allows construction machinery to move between the Core Zone and the Lake Zone.
As an informative, the ministerial letter states: “The habitat and creation plan covering the Manor Road bat corridor will need to comply with conditions set out, and trees, vegetation and shrubs in that corridor aren’t to be removed other than in the area shown in the endorsed vegetation retention plan.
“Any habitat creation and improvement plan or master plan in the Lake Zone will need to show how it addresses the loss of trees and vegetation. The use of only one construction access shall take place at any one time, unless in an emergency situation, in the interests of highway safety.
“The re-use of any closed construction traffic access along the southern side of ManorRoad, or any new access, other than those endorsed already, requires the endorsement of the Secretary of State.
“Should any part of any construction compound on the northern side of Manor Road be used in association with mass grading, notification is required under condition 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford) Special Development (No. 2) Order.
“This helps to protect human health and the environment from land contamination.”
The latest conditions help ensure there are no adverse environmental impacts, according to the government, nor do they materially change the project.