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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
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Plans to bulldoze & transform iconic UK theme park are revealed – after site left to rot for 12 YEARS
Despite repeated rejections of planning applications, the owners have submitted a bold redevelopment plan PARK LIFE Plans to bulldoze & transform iconic UK theme park are revealed – after site left to rot for 12 YEARS THE iconic Camelot theme park in Lancashire, which has been rotting for 12 years, could be replaced with a 350-home village under new proposals. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, the now decaying, desolate theme park opened in Chorley in 1983, closing its doors in 2012. 5 Graffiti now cakes the theme park, which was once a favourite with kids Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 5 But eerie remnants of its former glory remain Credit: SWNS:South West News Service It enthralled punters with rides and restaurants inspired by the mythical king, the knights of the Round Table and Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur for 41 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 Arthur's number two, 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." But it shuttered its doors in 2012 after nearly 30 years of bewitching children and adults alike, with its owners blaming bad weather and the Olympics for reduced footfall. 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. Six Flags park that opened its gates in 1974 to close permanently in November But the current owners, Story Homes, have 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 claim that the planned housing development would blend seamlessly with the local landscape. Story Homes told the Express: "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." A screening opinion is a formal way for the developers to suss whether or not an Envinronmental Impact Assesment (EIA) will be needed. The request to develop 350 homes is bold considering that multiple planning applications on the Camelot site have been rejected due to a lack of infrastructure and fears around the green belt. A planning application for 420 homes was rejected in 2014, another application for a more modest 275 homes was rejected in 2016. Once again, in 2018, Story Homes had plans for a misely 195 homes on the site rejected. Research in 2019 estimated that you could feasibly build 6,294 new homes on the 140-acre site, with a theoretical value of £790million. The latest request states: "It is the intention that an application will be submitted for the following: 'Outline planning application (with all matters reserved save for the principal means of access) for a residential development of up to 350 homes (Use Class C3) and community hub, with associated habitat creation, landscaping, open space, parking, footpaths/cycleways, drainage and other infrastructure'. "The proposed development includes a residential-led scheme for up to 350 homes, to deliver a mix of much-needed family homes and a community hub that can offer an accessible local facility for the community." It explains that "a series of sustainable transport measures will be proposed, such as off-site pedestrian and cycle link improvements and bus service improvements," and that "suitable standoff distances will be embedded" into the master plan to protect existing sensitive habitats. 5 Brick by brick, the desolate, decaying eyesore may finally make way for much-needed new homes Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News 5 The ghost towns' vacant restaurants were once buzzing Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
