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 in the small , Charnock Richard.
The once thriving has lay derelict since the attraction shut down in 2012 due to dwindling visitor numbers, however the developers now plan to revive the 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 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.”;
Locals also fear that there is not “sufficient infrastructure”; such as schools and 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 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.
