Homes plan for Camelot site 'would cause gridlock'

There will be "absolute chaos" on the roads if plans to build 350 homes on the site of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire are given the go-ahead, a councillor has said.

Story Homes wants to build 350 houses on the land at Charnock Richard, near Chorley, which has been derelict since the attraction closed in 2012.

The developer applied for permission to build similar schemes there in 2017 and 2019, but were unsuccessful both times.

Alan Whittaker, who represents the Eccleston, Heskin and Charnock Richard ward on Chorley Council, warned the area would face "gridlock" if the plans were approved.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the only way the derelict land could accommodate such a huge development would be if a new junction were built on the M6 to serve it.

Whittaker said no housebuilder would "spend the money" that would be required to do that.

He said the overwhelming opinion amongst locals was that the sprawling estate was not wanted – a sentiment he said was reflected at a public meeting in Heskin on Saturday morning, attended by about 80 people.

"Nobody was in favour of it," he said, adding: "350 houses means about 600 cars coming out on to Park Hall Road, which is not even a B-road.

"Everybody was concerned about the [potential for] gridlock.

"But there are other issues like [the lack of] infrastructure, such as school availability, and GP surgeries."

Whittaker said a smaller number of homes – about 50 – could form part of the overall vision for the plot, but described the currently proposed tally as "grossly" inappropriate, unless the developer was prepared to transform the local highway network.

Story Homes said its plans for the site would deliver "high quality homes in a range of styles and tenures to meet local housing need".

Half of those would be discounted "affordable homes", it add.

The developer is planning to create what it describes as a "travel hub" featuring a bus interchange, with seating and shelter, and real-time travel information.

The latest attempt to redevelop the site will be decided by a government-appointed inspector in the summer

The LDRS approached Story Homes and Chorley Council for comment.

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.