Latest news with #Eccleston
The Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
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. 6 6 6 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. 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 6 6
The Independent
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Doctor Who announces reunion of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper after 20 years
Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper are reuniting under the Doctor Who umbrella for the first time in 20 years. Eccleston played the ninth incarnation of the much-loved Time Lord and Piper played his companion, Rose Tyler, in the revived series in 2005. Since then, Matt Smith, Jodie Whitaker, Peter Capaldi, David Tennant and current star Ncuti Gatwa have all played the Doctor in the BBC show. Eccleston, 61, and Piper, 42, were especially adored by fans of the series. Now, the pair will reunite for the first time in two decades to front a new Doctor Who audio drama series. While both have starred in Big Finish audio dramas separately, the new project will mark their first time together. "Back to the Powell Estate, where the Doctor's past returns to haunt him, and out into the universe where enemies old and new are waiting,' reads a synopsis for Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures, out later this year. The show will be made up of 12 hour-long episodes and is the fourth season of the audio drama. Commenting on their reunion, Eccleston said: "I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose. "He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. We've explored him on his own at Big Finish, as a loner. But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other." Piper added: "I can't think of a better time for Rose to reunite with her first Doctor than now. Twenty years after she first ran into the TARDIS and towards adventure, here we are again, me and Chris, ready to have fun facing the universe – and the monsters – together." Matt Fitton, the show's producer has said that the episodes will slot 'neatly into that 2005 series', featuring 'more Jackie Tyler, more Powell Estate, plus friends and enemies old and new through time and space'. "Our writers have done an amazing job recapturing the spirit of that very special season," he added. "And Chris and Billie have embraced these scripts with delight and gusto. They're having a blast, back on that trip of a lifetime – and they sound fantastic!" The episodes are available to pre-order before their release in August 2025. They cost from £9.99 per story to download and own or £11.99 to download along with a collector's edition CD from A mutlti-buy bundle is available to pre-order at £102 or £126 including the collector's edition CD.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston to reunite for Doctor Who audio dramas
Doctor Who stars Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston are reprising their roles for a new audio series. Eccleston, 60, appeared as the ninth incarnation of the time-travelling alien 20 years ago when showrunner Russell T Davies revived the sci-fi show. I Hate Suzie actress Piper starred as his companion Rose Tyler and they filmed one series together before Scottish actor David Tennant took over Eccleston's role. A description of the new adventures says the Doctor's past 'returns to haunt him', adding that 'enemies old and new are waiting'. Eccleston said: 'I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. 'I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose. He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. 'We've explored him on his own at Big Finish (Productions), as a loner. 'But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other.' Piper, 42, added: 'I can't think of a better time for Rose to reunite with her first Doctor than now. 'Twenty years after she first ran into the Tardis and towards adventure, here we are again, me and Chris, ready to have fun facing the universe, and the monsters, together.' Producer Matt Fitton said: 'Twenty years after the ninth Doctor and Rose burst on to our screens, Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper are back with that brilliant dynamic – the Doctor showing Rose the universe and Rose showing him the best of humanity. 'Across 12 episodes, slotting neatly into that 2005 series, we have more Jackie Tyler, more Powell Estate, plus friends and enemies old and new through time and space. 'Our writers have done an amazing job recapturing the spirit of that very special season, and Chris and Billie have embraced these scripts with delight and gusto. 'They're having a blast, back on that trip of a lifetime and they sound fantastic.' Doctor Who audios have been produced by Big Finish since 1999 and have featured actors including Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Tennant, Jodie Whittaker and Sir John Hurt. Listeners can pre-order The Ninth Doctor And Rose, starting at £11.99 (per story on collector's edition CD plus download) or £9.99 (download only) from
