Drone Operators Issued Cease and Desist Notices at Universal United Kingdom Resort

Universal Destinations & Experiences has recently updated its website with a notice demanding that drone operators cease flying over the Universal United Kingdom Resort construction site.

Universal posted on the site that it is taking steps to prevent unauthorized drone activity around the construction site, citing safety and welfare concerns as activity on the project increases.

The notice states that cease-and-desist notices have been issued, prohibiting drones from flying over or near the site. Drone filming has been happening at low altitudes, identifying personnel and being shared online.

The legal page reads as follows:

“We appreciate the tremendous excitement for our project. However, as our site activity and preparation works increase, we have an important responsibility to consider and protect the safety and welfare of those working on-site. This includes managing unauthorised drone filming which we have experienced being undertaken at low-altitudes, clearly identifying personnel and being shared online.

As a result, we have issued cease and desist notices prohibiting the use of drones over or near our construction site without prior written authorisation. Copies have been placed around the site and are available to download.

Please be assured we will continue to update the community on our project and will be publishing regular information on our website as we progress.”

The full cease and desist letter can be found here.

Universal United Kingdom Resort

The official name of the new Universal theme park resort in Bedford, England, was announced after the resort’s ground-breaking ceremony with executives on Wednesday, June 3. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hosted Brian Roberts, Chairman of Comcast Corporation, and Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, at 11 Downing Street to unveil the name and logo (below).

Universal’s construction plans were approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government late last year. In February, two major contractors were confirmed to construct several facilities.

The resort is located about 45 minutes outside of London. Between construction and operation, it will create 28,000 jobs. The resort is designed to accommodate 8.5 million annual visitors, with 55,000 per peak day in the opening year. They expect 12.5 million visitors in the year following the opening.

Comcast NBCUniversal has committed to invest over £5 billion (almost $7 billion) during the expected five years of construction, plus £1 billion ($1.3 billion) over the first 10 years of operation. The government will support the project with an investment of £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) on changes to regional and local community infrastructure.

The opening is currently set for 2031.

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