I know it's not directly related, but the French park operator Puy du Fou has announced plans for a new park in the UK, less than an hour away from the Universal site.
Puy du Fou £300m theme park planned for Oxfordshire
It's an 'experience' park rather than having any rides, so don't think Universal would see them as a competitor, but suspect it actually supports Puy du Fou's plans given that Universal would ensure the right target audience is already in the region.