Latest news with #CamelotThemePark
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Popular UK theme park site could be transformed under new plans 15 years after it closed and was left to rot
A former theme park could be transformed into hundreds of homes 15 years after the site was closed and left to rot. A planning application has been submitted to turn the former Camelot Theme Park in Charnock Richard, Lancashire into 350 homes. The park closed in 2012 after nearly 30 years and has been empty ever since, aside from occasional use for immersive Halloween events and laser tag. Story Homes has submitted the application to turn the site into housing, with 50 per cent proposed to be affordable housing for local people, The Bolton News reported. The homes would include a range of sizes for first-time buyers, families and older couples looking to downsize. The plans also include a community hub office and meeting spaces for community groups. The plans say the development would also be a boost for local wildlife with a ten per cent biodiversity net gain, due to restoring the natural water flow of the nearby Syd Brook. Siobhan Sweeney, North West land manager for Story Homes, said: 'We are excited to bring forward plans for this significant development on a well-known local site. 'Our proposal not only addresses the strong demand for high-quality, affordable homes in Chorley, but also places emphasis on sustainability and community investment. 'Through the delivery of affordable homes, investment in green infrastructure, and the creation of new community spaces, we're committed to ensuring that this scheme supports local people and enhances the wider area.' During the height of its popularity, Camelot was one of the north west's most prominent tourist attractions, featuring a range of offerings like the amusement ride Excalibur 2, and hosting live jousting in an arena. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, the ill-fated park was boarded up after being open to the public for nearly 30 years. Owners Knights Leisure said bad weather contributed to low visitor numbers - and so the decision was made to shut the park down, with over 150 staff losing their jobs. The amusement park was home to the legendary Knightmare roller coaster - the structure of which remained standing tall even after it was shut down and was only dismantled in 2020. Other famous rides at the medieval-themed park included the Dragon Flyer, Caterpillar Capers, The Galleon and Pendragon's Plunge. Organisers would also perform jousting events in the theme park's arena and do magic shows. It has remained empty for 15 years since closing in 2012 Mannequins at the theme park have been left to decay The park began to look like the set of a horror movie four years after its closure This image shows an area of the park that has had its walls smashed down, with tiles lying on the dirty ground and wires dangling from holes Unnerving: A green ride carriage with peeling paint and a headless mannequin on its seat is pictured left A Wimpy eatery was left in a ruined state, with smashed tiles covering the floor, broken walls and graffiti marring the sign. A horse statue left to rot looks menacing in amongst the foliage And an episode of the famous children's TV show Sooty & Co was even filmed at the theme park in 1994. When the owners closed the theme park after 29 years they also blamed large public events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee for a decline in visitors. The theme park changed ownership to Granada Group in 1986 but it was sold again in 1998 after a management buyout. By 2005 only 336,204 visitors came to Camelot every year when it once attracted more than 500,000. Last year Thorpe Park boasted 1.7million visitors. In February 2009 owners Prime Resorts announced the park was in receivership - meaning it was placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others. Companies are usually only placed in receivership if they can't meet financial obligations. A Carlisle-based construction company, Story Group, then bought the theme park and leased it to Knight's Leisure. Story Homes were refused planning permission ten years ago by Chorley Borough Council to build 420 new homes on the site.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Plans to transform abandoned UK theme park unveiled – 13 years after iconic site left to rot
PLANS have been submitted to replace what was once the thriving Camelot Theme Park with up to 350 new homes in Lancashire. Story Homes have put forward an outline planning application to Chorley Council for a new residential scheme in the small village, Charnock Richard. 8 8 8 The once thriving theme park has lay derelict since the attraction shut down in 2012 due to dwindling visitor numbers, however the developers now plan to revive the abandoned area. The plans consist of building up to 350 new homes as well as a dedicated community hub which would offer space for co-working, meetings, and activities for local groups. Siobhan Sweeney, North West Land Manager for Story Homes, told Construction Enquirer: 'We are excited to bring forward plans for this significant development on a well-known local site. 'Our proposal not only addresses the strong demand for high-quality, affordable homes in Chorley but also places emphasis on sustainability and community investment. She added: 'Through the delivery of affordable homes, investment in green infrastructure, and the creation of new community spaces, we're committed to ensuring that this scheme supports local people and enhances the wider area.' However, local residents don't all share Sweeney's enthusiasm for the project. They object to the use of the greenbelt land and claim it will lead to an increase in traffic. Heskin resident, Sue Warburton, 57, told The Sun previously: 'The reason I moved here was to live in the countryside. 'There used to be a reason not to build on greenbelt because there's not enough countryside. 'And I don't want to see trees cut down for new homes.' Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds just five years after hosting final match Locals also fear that there is not 'sufficient infrastructure' such as schools and doctors to meet the demands of these new homes. One couple claimed it was 'impossible' to get an appointment with their local GP already and the addition of 350 homes would only make the situation worse. Theme park The abandoned theme park once enthralled punters with rides and restaurants inspired by the mythical king, the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur for 29 years. It even boasted a live jousting ring. Local legend has it that the area was once covered by the largest freshwater lake in England, Martin Mere, until it was drained in 1692. The story goes that Sir Lancelot's parents, King Ban of Benwich and his queen Elaine, escaped to Lancashire from their sworn enemies in France. Elaine helped King Ban, who had fallen and briefly left her son, Lancelot, on the shore of the lake, where he was abducted by a nymph, Vivian, who vanished into the depths of the lake with him. Nymph Vivian raised Lancelot as her own, and he was later knighted "Sir Lancelot of the Lake." After being bulldozed in 2020, eerie overhead images showed decapitated statues, rusty roller coasters and restaurants overgrown with vines. Perhaps the most spooky are the sinister medieval canopies where jousting was once hosted. Since its closure, it's only been used for the occasional live-action zombie horror experiences, commercialising the spooky scene. Prior to submitting the planning application, last month Story Homes approached Chorley Borough Council with a 'Screening Opinion' request to identify environmental issues before requesting a full planning application for a spanking new village. They claimed at the time that the planned housing development would blend seamlessly with the local landscape. Comments from the public can be submitted via the council's planning portal until July 25. What are your rights? By Summer Raemason Every planning application submitted to a local authority must undergo a period of public consultation which varies in length between three and eight weeks. Most councils publish details of planning applications on their websites. You can find the website address for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal. Alternatively, open applications can be viewed at your local town hall and the offices of your local planning authority. The Planning Portal does not offer the facility to comment on applications directly. Therefore you will need to contact your local planning authority if you want to have your say on a planning application in your area. There are a number of ways to do this: If you are a neighbour affected by a planning application the local planning authority will either notify you directly or display a site notice on or near the land to which the application relates. You could contact the planning offices of your local authority to involve yourself in the consultation process. The local planning authority may offer a service on its website. You are allowed to attend planning committee meetings to hear applications being considered. You are also allowed to have your say at these meetings but you must notify the council in advance of the meeting. 8 8 8 8 8
The Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
We live in shadow of abandoned UK theme park left to rot for over decade – new plans could DESTROY our peaceful village
DISGRUNTLED residents living next to an abandoned theme park have slammed plans to bring it back to life. Locals who live a stone's throw away from the former Camelot Theme Park, in Lancashire, fear their peaceful sleepy town could be ruined. 6 6 6 It comes after plans to build 350 homes on the site have been submitted. The once thriving theme park has lay derelict since the attraction shut down in 2012 due to dwindling visitor numbers. This is not the first time plans have been proposed, with similar applications turned down in 2017 and 2019. But Developers Story Homes haven't given up, despite the area being greenbelt land. They have now approached Chorley Borough Council with a 'screening opinion' request to identify environmental issues before requesting a full planning application. The firm claim planned housing would blend seamlessly with the local landscape. However, residents in the nearby villages of Heskin and Eccleston, once home to Olympic bike legend Bradley Wiggins, believe the new homes will 'spoil' the character of the area. They object to the use of greenbelt land and claim it will lead to an increase in traffic. And residents are also worried there isn't 'sufficient infrastructure' such as schools and doctors to cope. Sue Warburton, 57, said she moved to Heskin a month a go so she 'could be in the countryside'. We live in UK's 'boy racer capital' - wannabe Vin Diesels in souped up cars tear up streets in illegal races EVERY night 'Personally, I think it would cost too much to develop the land - it must all be rubble now," she told The Sun. 'The reason I moved her was to live in the countryside. 'I can see lots of trees from my home and it's lovely. 'I would't like to live in a town now. 'There used to be reason to not build on the greenbelt because there's not enough countryside. 'And I don't want to see trees cut down for new homes.' Fellow resident Melvin Otter, 75, who's lived in Heskin for more than 50 years, said he disliked the theme park because of the 'loud screaming and shouting'. And he's also against the plans to develop the site. 'Where's all the new infrastructure coming from?' he said. 'It's not just a case of the new homes, what about the stuff to go with it? 'The schools must be oversubscribed round here and I'm really glad I haven't got children of my own - where would they go?' 'And the footpaths are just not big enough either. 'The there's the noise from additional traffic.' He added: 'I hope the council reject the plans. 'But perhaps it won't be as easy this time because the government have said they want to build more homes.' 'WE'RE NOT NIMBYS' A couple, who didn't wish to be named, claimed it was 'impossible' to get an appointment with their local GP already and the addition of 350 new homes would only make the situation worse. They added: 'It will be a big problem for existing residents. 'They have been building other new homes in the area too. 'I don't know why they can't look at developing derelict sites on the edges of towns or cities. 'We're not Nimbys. It's just wrong to build so many new homes here.' Ian Bridge, 65, who lives in nearby Chorley, added: 'I'm of the mind that greenbelt land should remain greenbelt. 'And it's the wrong policy to allow it. 'We hear all this blather about about climate change but it seems this is being ignored when it comes to building on the greenbelt. 'I fear the council may have to fall in the line with government policy and there's nothing they'll be able to do about it." According to the application by Story Homes, the proposed development would "deliver a mix of much-needed family homes and a community hub that can offer an accessible local facility for the community" while protecting "existing sensitive habitats, such as areas of ancient woodland'. It said' "While the proposed development proposes a change in land use, predominantly from a vacant former theme park site to residential dwellings, this is in keeping with the surrounding environment. "The area is characterised by development including residential dwellings to the west, and M6 to the east which is already an urbanised area and would therefore not distinctly change the character of the area." Camelot enthralled punters with rides and restaurants inspired by the mythical king, the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur for 29 years. It even boasted a live jousting ring. Local legend has it that the area was once covered by the largest freshwater lake in England, Martin Mere, until it was drained in 1692. Councillor Alex Hilton, Executive Cabinet Member for Planning and Development at Chorley Council said: 'We are yet to receive a planning application for this site. "If a planning application is submitted, we will review the application in the same way as we would all applications and in full consideration of public and other stakeholder feedback. "The decision would then be made after consideration by our planning committee.' This comes as a couple who have lived next to one of the UK's biggest theme parks for 40 years can watch rollercoasters from their garden. Bert Forse, 90, and his wife June, 88, say they've grown to like the rickety noise of the rides coming from Oakwood Theme Park, near Tenby, Wales. When they bought their detached house 58 years ago, the action-packed park wasn't there. Oakwood opened in 1987 - quickly becoming a hit with locals and tourists. And an influx of visitors even meant an overflow car park spilled onto Bert and June's back door. Despite the pair, who have been married for 65 years, getting free tickets for having it on their doorstep, the pensioners have only visited once. Elsewhere, residents of a village by the site of the UK's first Universal theme park claim it's going to be horrendous and ruin their quiet way of life. Plus, furious locals living near the site of a proposed £600million 'ride-free' theme park have objected to the plans. What are your rights? By Summer Raemason Every planning application submitted to a local authority must undergo a period of public consultation which varies in length between three and eight weeks. Most councils publish details of planning applications on their websites. You can find the website address for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal. Alternatively, open applications can be viewed at your local town hall and the offices of your local planning authority. The Planning Portal does not offer the facility to comment on applications directly. Therefore you will need to contact your local planning authority if you want to have your say on a planning application in your area. There are a number of ways to do this: If you are a neighbour affected by a planning application the local planning authority will either notify you directly or display a site notice on or near the land to which the application relates. You could contact the planning offices of your local authority to involve yourself in the consultation process. The local planning authority may offer a service on its website. You are allowed to attend planning committee meetings to hear applications being considered. You are also allowed to have your say at these meetings but you must notify the council in advance of the meeting. 6 6 6
