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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Locals who live near overgrown & derelict theme park inspired by King Arthur say it's better than the council's new plan
Only one local expressed support for the planning application 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 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Chorley's Camelot theme park has been abandoned since 2012 Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 The derelict site has become popular with urban explorers Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 Plans for an £80 million, 350-home development were filed in June Credit: 8 Locals are concerned about the impact the development could have on greenbelt land Credit: 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." 8 The theme park was once a popular tourist spot Credit: Publicity Picture 8 It has since become overgrown and littered with graffiti Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 Two other planning proposals were rejected by the council in 2014 and 2017 Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Locals who live near overgrown & derelict theme park inspired by King Arthur say it's better than the council's new plan
A DERELICT theme park inspired by Arthurian legend is set to be demolished - but locals aren't happy. Residents living near Advertisement 8 Chorley's Camelot theme park has been abandoned since 2012 Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 The derelict site has become popular with urban explorers Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 Plans for an £80 million, 350-home development were filed in June Credit: 8 Locals are concerned about the impact the development could have on greenbelt land Credit: 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 The Advertisement Read more News 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. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 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 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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." 8 The theme park was once a popular tourist spot Credit: Publicity Picture Advertisement 8 It has since become overgrown and littered with graffiti Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 Two other planning proposals were rejected by the council in 2014 and 2017 Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 8 Locals are also concerned about increased flood risk in the area Credit:
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
We live in shadow of abandoned UK theme park left to rot for over decade – new plans could DESTROY our peaceful village
Local legend has it that the area was once covered by the largest freshwater lake in England PLAYTIME'S OVER We live in shadow of abandoned UK theme park left to rot for over decade – new plans could DESTROY our peaceful village Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Residents living next to an abandoned theme park have slammed new plans for the site Credit: CHRIS NEILL 6 The once thriving attraction has been closed since 2012 Credit: CHRIS NEILL 6 An application to build a housing development has been strongly opposed by locals Credit: CHRIS NEILL 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. We're not Nimbys. It's just wrong to build so many new homes here Local resident 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 The area is classified as greenbelt land Credit: CHRIS NEILL 6 Residents say a new housing development would bring traffic chaos and noise pollution Credit: CHRIS NEILL
