Ritchie Wood, 55, remains the sole resident on Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick as 12 homes are set to be demolished for the £5bn Universal United Kingdom Resort, one of Europe's largest theme parks. While six homes have been vacated and five sold to Universal under non-disclosure agreements, Ritchie has resisted eviction despite a court-issued possession notice and a Section 21 eviction served in April 2026. He is awaiting bailiffs after struggling to find alternative housing and wishes to stay close to his elderly parents.
Ritchie alleges Universal pressured neighbours to sell and criticises the company's approach as morally belligerent, though he acknowledges their legal compliance. Universal Destinations and Experiences declined to comment. The development has led to road closures and environmental disruption, with local wildlife displaced. The project is promoted by the government as a source of long-term prosperity for Britain, but Ritchie's situation highlights tensions between large-scale development and individual residents' rights.
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Source: Bedford Today news. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.