For over a decade, a medieval theme park has lay derelict, decaying and rotting.
Instead of welcoming young families, it now welcomes urban explorers, pill-popping ravers and anti-social youths.
As indictments of 21st-century Britain go, Chorley’s Camelot theme park is hard to top.
However residents living in the shadow of this grim monument of despair want it to stay exactly how it is, for they fear that worse things could follow should the site be scrubbed away.
An £80m plan to build 350 homes on the site of the former Camelot theme park has sparked anger among villagers who claim it will ‘ruin’ the area.
The site has lay derelict since the attraction shut down in 2012 due to dwindling visitor numbers.
Developers Story Homes, who bought the park in 2009 and have twice had plans (in 2014 and 2017) for similar housing schemes rejected, have now submitted an outline planning application to Chorley Borough Council.
Documents claim the site is ‘well positioned’ to support wider regional growth and a ‘prime location’ for residential development and will also deliver improved transport infrastructure, facilities and a fully accessible open space for residents.
For over a decade, a medieval theme park has lay derelict, decaying and rotting
Instead of welcoming young families, it now welcomes urban explorers, pill-popping ravers and anti-social youths
As indictments of 21st-century Britain go, Chorley’s Camelot theme park is hard to top
However residents living in the shadow of this grim monument of despair want it to stay exactly how it is
As they fear that worse things could follow should the site be scrubbed away
‘Therefore, the proposed development is well positioned to contribute positively to the Borough’s growth ambitions, whilst also making effective and efficient use of previously developed land within an accessible and sustainable location,’ it’s claimed.
Half the new homes, which will take an ‘assumed’ seven years to build, will be ‘affordable’ and an ‘entry point’ for local key workers and younger families.
Story say the scheme will also deliver wide-ranging social-economic benefits, which include helping to preserve social and family networks, extra jobs and higher household expenditure.
But residents in the nearby village of Heskin, which has one convenience store, one pub and a population of less than a 1,000, fear it will spoil the character of the area.
They object to development on green belt and the ‘destruction’of wildlife, claim it will it lead to increased noise and traffic and point to ‘insufficient infrastructure’ such as schools and doctors to cope with an influx of new residents.
Chris Davis, 62, says he has ‘mixed feelings’ about the plans because while he can see there will be economic benefits for the area he’s worried about their wider impact if they’re approved.
‘I accept people have to live somewhere,’ he said.
‘At the moment the site is derelict and full of concrete so it’s better to dig that up than more of the green belt.
‘But if they start ripping down more trees that will change everything.
‘They’ll basically be creating a new village within a village, so you’re going to need new schools, doctors, shops, that kind of thing.
‘Also, the roads round here are busy enough, especially during rush hour or when there’s an accident and they close the [nearby] M6 and re-route the traffic through here and Ecclestone.
‘So it’s all the extra traffic that’s a worry and the lorries coming and going during the building work.
An £80m plan to build 350 homes on the site of the former Camelot theme park has sparked anger among villagers
Residents would rather the theme park and site lays empty and overgrown
The spot has become popular with ravers and has attracted a reputation
Examples of break ins and anti-social behavior at the site are common
He added: ‘If it’s green belt land you have to keep it green belt land.’
Melvin Otter, 75, who’s lived in Heskin for more than 50 years, is also against the plans to develop the site.
‘The developers have twice had plans rejected but there’s so much money involved,’ he said.
‘Money talks, so they’ll probably get them approved this time.
‘But where’s all the new infrastructure coming from?
‘It’s already a real problem trying to get a GP appointment and the roads are bad now – so it will only get even worse.
‘They’re saying it’s all brownfield land, but who’s to say they won’t submit further plans and build on the green belt too.’
Neil Haslingden, 56, also says a ‘lack of infrastructure’ and ‘extra traffic’ are concerns and believes alternative schemes to redevelop existing homes and buildings are better options.
‘I don’t think the answer is just to keep building and building new homes,’ he said.
‘They need to do something with existing spaces, such as empty farm buildings or houses.
‘As the village lies within the green belt I couldn’t extend my home by more than 50%.
‘So I had to look an alternative plans and I’m now going to convert my garage instead.’
He added that new cycle lanes, which form part of the plans, would only benefit those living in the new properties and he fears that locals could be ‘priced out’ from buying them.
Another villager, who didn’t wish to be named, complained: ‘The scheme will change the character of the area completely.
‘It will be awful and the village will be ruined.
‘There are other homes being built nearby that aren’t even sold yet.
‘So I can’t understand why they need to build another 350.’
So far, 22 official objections from residents have been sent to Chorley Council.
In the nearby village of Heskin, tensions are running high due to the development plans
Some locals claimed the plans were ‘ridiculous’ and that house builders were determined to ‘ruin’ the local area
One claimed the plans were ‘ridiculous’ and that house builders were determined to ‘ruin’ the local area.
‘We are rapidly losing our green spaces forever and there won’t be much left for our future generations at this rate,’ they added.
Another called the plans ‘an absolute disgrace’, and would lead to the destruction of wildlife, increased crime and the lowering of village house prices among other problems.
Alex Hilton, Executive Member for Planning and Development at Chorley Council, said: ‘We understand that the former Camelot site holds a great deal of local significance, and we appreciate the level of interest and feedback received regarding the proposed residential development.
‘At this stage, no final decision has been made. The application is still under consideration, and all comments submitted as part of the consultation process will be carefully reviewed and considered before the planning committee makes its decision.
‘We are committed to ensuring that the planning process is transparent, balanced, and fair and that all voices are heard.’
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.
But since its closure, the site had become overgrown and fallen into disrepair, with ‘considerable’ vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and it’s become an attraction for urban explorers who’ve posted videos online.
Many of the structures and buildings have had to be demolished for safety reasons, although some are still standing.
The site is now used by a company which organises ‘scare’ experiences.
