'If you're going to be difficult, we can build the theme park entrance opposite your house'

Residents claim they are being 'bullied' into selling their homes

- By Faye Mayern

ANXIOUS villagers are refusing to budge from their homes to make way for a huge new theme park.

At least a dozen houses in Kempston Hardwick, Beds, face demolition as part of work to construct the new £50billion Universal attraction.

And some residents claim they have been “bullied” into selling up by officials.

Seven homes, where the average price is £380,500, are believed to have already been bought by Universal and will be wiped out to make way for the park and a new dual carriageway.

Fearful

Some residents have already accepted formal offers for their homes and moved out. But others have had representatives visit their homes and ask them if they would be willing to sell.

But at least three of the remaining occupants on Manor Road have told Universal they do not want to move out and are now fearful for their future.

Claudia Pixley, 45, said she was frustrated about having no clear answer of what could happen to her home, where she lives with her seven-year-old daughter, if she refuses to sell.

Ms Pixley lives on the road, which will be sandwiched between the theme park and a new construction village.