Universal Great Britain - News & Info

[EllieB]

It’s now turned into Thunder and lightning!

I keep saying it's perfect Berk weather... Thor is just dropping by to check the site out before the proper construction kicks off.

 

[rob@rar]

It’s now turned into Thunder and lightning!

Floridian!

The wettest I've ever been is trying to escape a storm cell which was hovering over the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. I literally couldn't have been wetter, even if I'd jumped in to a swimming pool. Camera got so wet it steamed up the lens, had to dry out slowly over several weeks.

 

[Disneyhead]

Floridian!

The wettest I've ever been is trying to escape a storm cell which was hovering over the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. I literally couldn't have been wetter, even if I'd jumped in to a swimming pool. Camera got so wet it steamed up the lens, had to dry out slowly over several weeks.

Sigh,

Everyday from June to September. Welcome to Orlando.

 

[yepthatguy]

Floridian!

The wettest I've ever been is trying to escape a storm cell which was hovering over the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. I literally couldn't have been wetter, even if I'd jumped in to a swimming pool. Camera got so wet it steamed up the lens, had to dry out slowly over several weeks.

It’s rather strangely Floridian at the moment indeed!

The forecast shows another heatwave or at least high 20°s starting from Thursday, and lasting a number of days. It could change but it’s been very warm, and windy .

 

[Mad Dog]

Sigh,

Everyday from June to September. Welcome to Orlando.

Heh, wait, doesn't the state tourist bureau propaganda division tout Florida as 'The Sunshine State'? Damn, I've been there just about every month of the year except July and January. I recall lots and lots and lots of clouds, not a whole lot of sun.

 

[GAcoaster]

Drones are so much more cost effective and environmentally friendly than fireworks. I know people LOVE their fireworks, but they are slowly becoming a thing of the past or at least less common.

 

[masekwm]

Universal theme park neighbours say they have been 'forgotten'

The future of the houses between the planned new attraction and its construction site is unclear.

www.bbc.co.uk

Following the item on Look East last night, the article has been added to BBC News.

 

[LieutLaww]

You mean all the houses that Universal have now all bought and are going to be demolished. I'm sure I saw this same headline months ago, was just a tactic by the last few holdouts to get more money.

 

[masekwm]

You mean all the houses that Universal have now all bought and are going to be demolished. I'm sure I saw this same headline months ago, was just a tactic by the last few holdouts to get more money.

That seems to just be a rumour, none of the others have land registry applications against them, they’re still occupied, they’re in the press saying they’ve not sold and the application states “when owned by Universal”.

But yes, this is all just a ploy to get more cash

 

[Alicia]

That seems to just be a rumour, none of the others have land registry applications against them, they’re still occupied, they’re in the press saying they’ve not sold and the application states “when owned by Universal”.

But yes, this is all just a ploy to get more cash

The recent documents have several contingency plans in case they do not sell their properties. With three options in most cases for what to do. All of the height limits include views from their homes as well, referring to residential views from Manor Rd with photos taken directly from their houses looking toward the theme park with super-imposed height representations.

If anything, Universal appears to be calling their bluff on not selling, and has plans to build around them Pixar's UP style.

 

[EllieB]

The recent documents have several contingency plans in case they do not sell their properties. With three options in most cases for what to do. All of the height limits include views from their homes as well, referring to residential views from Manor Rd with photos taken directly from their houses looking toward the theme park with super-imposed height representations.

If anything, Universal appears to be calling their bluff on not selling, and has plans to build around them Pixar's UP style.

I always assumed that if they didn't sell up, somewhere down the line the government would supply them with a compulsory purchase order because of it being deemed a project of national significance. Interesting if that isn't the case. Of course, it still could be but Universal are covering all bases?

 

[Alicia]

I always assumed that if they didn't sell up, somewhere down the line the government would supply them with a compulsory purchase order because of it being deemed a project of national significance. Interesting if that isn't the case. Of course, it still could be but Universal are covering all bases?

Universal Covering All Bases should be the name of this document dump

 

[EllieB]

Universal Covering All Bases should be the name of this document dump

Are you implying that the analysis I read of their multiple options for dealing with a drainage ditch are not actually vitally important to the planning application?

(I'd include a laughing emoji if I could figure out how, mine always seem to vanish lol)

 

[rob@rar]

I always assumed that if they didn't sell up, somewhere down the line the government would supply them with a compulsory purchase order because of it being deemed a project of national significance. Interesting if that isn't the case.

Universal’s proposal does not meet the definition of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, and their planning application is not being considered by the National Planning Inspectorate, which is responsible for assessing NSIPs. I’ve not read every document in the planning proposal yet, but I’ve not spotted any reference to a request to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order for any of the property along Manor Road. My guess is that in time Universal and the remaining property owners will reach some kind of agreement. I’m sure that Universal will want to widen Manor Road, probably for a dedicated Bus Lane so their shuttles from Wixams train station to and from the transport hub won’t get caught in traffic. That process will be much more straightforward if all the properties along Manor Road can be knocked down.

 

[EllieB]

Universal’s proposal does not meet the definition of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, and their planning application is not being considered by the National Planning Inspectorate, which is responsible for assessing NSIPs. I’ve not read every document in the planning proposal yet, but I’ve not spotted any reference to a request to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order for any of the property along Manor Road. My guess is that in time Universal and the remaining property owners will reach some kind of agreement. I’m sure that Universal will want to widen Manor Road, probably for a dedicated Bus Lane so their shuttles from Wixams train station to and from the transport hub won’t get caught in traffic. That process will be much more straightforward if all the properties along Manor Road can be knocked down.

Yeah, I know it doesn't but I figured maybe if they didn't get anywhere with people selling voluntarily someone would find a way to make a CPO possible. Just my assumption though, no evidence that it'll actually happen.

I think the bus lane sounds very likely.

 

[rob@rar]

Yeah, I know it doesn't but I figured maybe if they didn't get anywhere with people selling voluntarily someone would find a way to make a CPO possible. Just my assumption though, no evidence that it'll actually happen.

I think the bus lane sounds very likely.

I believe that Bedford Council would have the option to put in place a CPO and I think a relevant government department can as well, subject to approval by the Secretary of State at the Housing, Community and Local Government department (which is the same department assessing Universal's planning application). Neither body would need to do this as part of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, nor as part of the planning permission which Universal are currently seeking. But hopefully it won't get to that stage, as I'm sure it's fairly brutal for a home owner to be turfed out when they really don't want to move. More info about Compulsory Purchase Orders here.

 

[yepthatguy]

Weather update: It’s 30°. No rain.

 

[EllieB]

Weather update: It’s 30°. No rain.

But it's Britain, doesn't it rain here all the time?

 

[yepthatguy]

But it's Britain, doesn't it rain there all the time?

Evidently not as much with our new climate system.

I think we are in 2025 heatwave number 3 right now in mid south Englandshire. Yay.

 

[EllieB]

Evidently not as much with our new climate system.

I think we are in 2025 heatwave number 3 right now in mid south Englandshire. Yay.

I'm in the North part of the Midlands, I absolutely agree with the lack of delight about it. Currently melting.