Locals who live near overgrown & derelict theme park inspired by King Arthur say it's better than the council's new plan
TAKEN FOR A RIDE Locals who live near overgrown & derelict theme park inspired by King Arthur say it's better than the council's new plan
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A DERELICT theme park inspired by Arthurian legend is set to be demolished - but locals aren't happy.
Residents living near Camelot theme park in Chorley have expressed their frustration with the proposed plans.
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Chorley's Camelot theme park has been abandoned since 2012
Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News
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The derelict site has become popular with urban explorers
Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News
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Plans for an £80 million, 350-home development were filed in June
Credit: chorley.gov.uk
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Locals are concerned about the impact the development could have on greenbelt land
Credit: chorley.gov.uk
Having closed down over a decade ago, the derelict site has become overgrown and littered with graffiti.
It has turned the once-popular theme park into a hot spot for urban explorers and rebellious locals.
Despite the 140-acre land laying unused since 2012, locals have protested against new planning proposals that could see the site repurposed.
The plan centres on an £80 development that would see 350 homes built on the site.
Plans were put forward by Developers Story Homes to Chorley Borough Council on June 20.
However, similar plans have twice been rejected - once in 2014, and again in 2017 - since the developers bought the site in 2009.
In planning documents they claim it is "well positioned" to support wider regional growth and a "prime location" for a residential development like this.
They plan to keep half of the new homes as "affordable" housing after the estimated seven-year project.
The developers also hope it will lead to more wide-ranging benefits for the area, bringing in jobs and higher household expenditure.
Despite the optimistic proposals, residents in nearby Heskin have argued against the project, with 25 objections to the proposals and just one supporting.
Abandoned Camelot theme park near the village of Charnock Richard in Chorley, Lancashire has been left to rot away
They are primarily concerned about the destruction of wildlife on greenbelt land.
Others were worried about increased noise and traffic, with the village's population of 1,000 people having "insufficient infrastructure" to cope with new residents.
One resident commenting on the proposals said: "There are not enough amenities to cope. How will the schools, GPs, roads cope?
They added: "Please leave our greenery and woodland and nature alone."
Other residents expressed similar concerns, with one writing: "The development lacks clear provision for new schools, healthcare or transport links - failing to meet the needs of the existing population, let alone new residents."
Another resident raised concerns about existing drainage problems in the area.
While the report does consider flood risks to the site, they feel it has not adequately considered risk to the existing properties.
They wrote: "We have issues with drainage already and with the aforementioned sites we have no idea how this is going to impact the communities with flooding and future issues."
Residents generally would rather the site be used to enhance the existing community, for example with a leisure centre, or dedicated woodland trails.
Out of the 27 comments on the planning proposal, only one local expressed support for the development.
They wrote: "There are some who say there isn't the infrastructure to make this development viable. I would say, there are numerous engineers whose job it is to ensure that there will be enough electricity/drainage etc to ensure the development will be ok.
"As long as the development is sympathetic to the local nature, I think it is an ideal use of a brown field site."
The planning application does contain reference to a 186.9 square metre community hub "with associated habitat creation, landscaping, open space, parking, footpaths / cycleways, drainage and other infrastructure."
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The theme park was once a popular tourist spot
Credit: Publicity Picture
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It has since become overgrown and littered with graffiti
Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News
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Two other planning proposals were rejected by the council in 2014 and 2017
Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News
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