In April, Universal Destinations and Experiences announced it is committed to building an entertainment resort complex with a "world-class" theme park featuring "several" immersive themed lands, "visitor accommodation", as well as a "range of retail, dining and entertainment uses" in Kempston Hardwick, Bedford, England.
In June, the theme park and resort division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast, submitted a Special Development Order planning permission request - which allows for national government to grant permission for development in a given area - to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
However, Wicksteed Park, in Barton Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire - founded in 1921 - currently allows its guests to enter the Grade II-listed 291-acre park for free and as many times as they like, but it charges customers for parking and individual rides.
Wicksteed - which has over 25 rides - also offers wedding and party venues, as well as hosting Kettering's parkrun.
And Kelly Richardson, the boss of Wicksteed Park, said people could not compare her park with Universal because they are "very different to thrill-seeking parks".
She told BBC News: "Not everyone comes here for the rides.
"Universal is going to be a major park with high-octane, fully immersive ride experiences.
"For many people, it will be a once-in-a-generation visit.
"The beauty of Wicksteed Park is that it's free to enter, you can visit as many times as you like and have a different experience every time you come here."
Earlier in 2025, an appeal kicked off to save Wicksteed Park because of "unprecedented financial difficulties".
And Ms. Richardson would not like to start charging guests an entry fee to keep the park open.
She said: "We're not unique in experiencing those [financial challenges].
"Across the industry, there are recent reports of theme parks in the UK closing down.
"We've always relied on tickets and wristbands to the rides and attractions [to] generate enough income to keep this wonderful green open space open for free - and that's getting harder and harder."
