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.
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”.
“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.