The UK's first Universal Studios has been granted planning permission

The UK's first Universal Studios has officially been granted planning permission to be built.

Set to be located in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, the new theme park is expected to be ready by 2031.

Local Labour MP Mohammad Yasin revealed the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has approved the construction, the BBC reports.

He described it as a 'landmark moment' and said: The confirmation of planning permission for the Universal Destinations & Experiences Entertainment Resort Complex is transformational and will be felt for decades to come.'

It comes after Universal applied via a special development order for planning permission that would help skip local processes and put the proposal straight to the government. 

The resort is expected to span 476 acres on Broadmead Farm and will boast a 500-room hotel as well as a retail and entertainment complex alongside the ride.

Universal Studios is expected to welcome 8.5 million visitors annually, with 55,000 guests on peak days.

At the Bedfordshire resort, visitors can look forward to rides and attractions based on iconic Universal franchises, such as Jurassic Park, Minions and Jaws.

In the documents submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Universal proposed building attractions reaching up to 377 feet (115 metres) - making them taller than any ride currently operating in Europe.

The current tallest ride in the UK is Thorpe Park's Hyperia, standing at 236 feet (72 metres), while the tallest ride in Europe is Red Force at 367 feet (112 metres), located at PortAventura World in Spain. 

'The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed theme park to compete with other attractions in Europe,' according to the documents.

'Although the Universal Orlando Resort does not currently have attractions up to this height, taller attractions are more common in Europe, where rides need to be taller to create the experience, as space is more constrained.

'Building attractions that are higher, rather than over greater areas, also makes the best use of land which is in line with planning policy.'

Sir Keir Starmer previously said Universal will create around 28,000 jobs - 20,000 in the construction period and 8,000 working on the site when it opens to visitors in 2031 - and expects the park to generate nearly £50billion for the economy by 2055.

The first steps towards construction work started this summer, and Project Universal took a drone over Broadmead Farm in August, where the new Bedfordshire resort is due to be built.

The farm can be seen to have recently been harvested, in order for vehicles to access the site, ready for construction to begin.

As the plans progress, proposals for a new railway station nearby are being explored.

The train hub could be built in Stewartby and will form part of the East West Rail (EWR) line.

A report about the proposals by EWR explains why the company decided a completely new train station would be better sustainably.

It reads: 'Given Universal’s proposals are still emerging, we’re working with them and other stakeholders to determine the design and exact position of the station.

'We would like to provide reassurance that as we progress this work, we are focused on not just integrating the design for this station with the wider development proposals but also maintaining access to the strategic road network and local destinations including Kimberley Sixth Form College and Stewartby.'

The new line, part of the EWR line project, hopes to connect Oxford to Cambridge and provide links via Milton Keynes and Bedford.