Latest news with #StoryHomes
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 Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
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 Advertisement 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 It even boasted a live jousting ring. Local legend has it that the area was once covered by the largest freshwater 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 Advertisement Elaine helped King Ban, who had fallen and briefly left her son, Lancelot, on the shore of the lake, where he was Nymph Vivian raised Lancelot as her own, and he was later knighted 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, Advertisement Most read in The Sun Perhaps the most 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 They claim that the planned housing development would blend seamlessly with the local landscape. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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'. Read more on the Irish Sun "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." Advertisement 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 5 The original park was demolished in 2020 Credit: Donna Clifford/ Magnus News Advertisement
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
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Abandoned Camelot theme park homes plan revealed
A fresh plan for housing on the site of the former Camelot theme park has been put forward. Developer Story Homes wants to build 350 houses on the land at Charnock Richard, Chorley, which has been derelict since the attraction shut down in company applied to build similar schemes there in 2017 and 2019, but both were refused. The plans faced objections over the use of greenbelt land. 'Zombie experience' As part of the application to Chorley Council, Story Homes has asked for a "screening opinion" to determine whether the an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be needed. An EIA gives planners information about potential effects on the environment before a formal planning application is application said the new 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, which was closed after visitor numbers dwindled, was open for 29 years and was themed around Arthurian legend. The derelict park has since been used to host pop-up events including a "zombie experience". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Four-bed home with 'captivating' fell views for sale in Whitehaven
A detached four-bedroom house built by Story Homes is on the market for £315,000 in Whitehaven. According to First Choice Move, the estate agent marketing the house, the property is "immaculately presented" and designed to offer "modern living" throughout. Entry to the home is via a hallway leading to a lounge area. Living room, which spans the depth of the property (Image: Zoopla) The lounge features French doors that open onto the garden, which the agent says allows natural light to fill the space. Opposite the lounge, there is a kitchen and dining area that comes with integrated appliances as well as storage space. Adjoining this room is a separate utility room, which also has a door to the back garden. Kitchen/diner, located across the hall from the lounge (Image: Zoopla) Four bedrooms are included in the property, with the master bedroom featuring an ensuite bathroom. The agent highlights that the rear bedrooms have "captivating views towards the Cumbrian fells". In addition to the ensuite, there is a family bathroom and a downstairs WC. First-floor family bathroom, which serves bedrooms two, three, and four (Image: Zoopla) Outside, there is a garden, which features a pergola, patio, raised beds, and lawn. The garden is surrounded by fencing and has gated access. Parking and storage are available via a driveway and a pitched roof garage. The back garden, featuring a pergola, patio, raised beds, and lawn (Image: Zoopla) The property also comes with the remainder of the developer's warranty, which the agent says "gives peace of mind to new homeowners". Its location offers access to Whitehaven town centre, and several schools. The estate agent says the property provides "a perfect balance between peaceful suburban living and urban convenience". One of the property's four bedrooms (Image: Zoopla) According to the listing, the house "ticks all the boxes for modern, comfortable living in a desirable location". Viewings can be arranged by contacting the estate agent directly on 01946 437185. The house is currently listed for £315,000 and is available for viewing by appointment.
