Tenant fears homelessness as demolition begins around planned Universal resort

Demolition has begun around the planned Universal theme park site in Bedfordshire, England, where a tenant says he expects to lose his home within two months and cannot afford another place locally. Contractors plan to demolish a terrace of 12 properties in Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick, along with several other properties, the BBC reports. That is a demolition target, not a count of homes already demolished. [1]

Ritchie Wood, whose rented home lies within the planned resort site, told the broadcaster he had lived there for 11 years. The BBC describes the development as a £5 billion project intended to open in 2031. [1]

In the report published on 25 September, Wood said he expected his landlord to evict him within two months and feared becoming homeless. “I genuinely have nowhere to go,” he said, explaining that he could not afford another home in the area at a comparable rent. His account describes an anticipated eviction, not one that has already happened. [1]

Wood described seeing neighbouring homes being demolished as “heartbreaking” and said Universal had not done enough to help him find somewhere else to live. The report does not detail what assistance, if any, he had been offered. [1]

Manor Road residents were not subject to compulsory purchase orders, according to the BBC. Some nevertheless told the broadcaster they felt forced to leave — a distinction between their experience of pressure and a formal compulsory acquisition. [1]