A former theme park could be transformed into hundreds of homes 15 years after the site was closed and left to rot.
A planning application has been submitted to turn the former Camelot Theme Park in Charnock Richard, Lancashire into 350 homes.
The park closed in 2012 after nearly 30 years and has been empty ever since, aside from occasional use for immersive Halloween events and laser tag.
Story Homes has submitted the application to turn the site into housing, with 50 per cent proposed to be affordable housing for local people, The Bolton News reported.
The homes would include a range of sizes for first-time buyers, families and older couples looking to downsize.
The plans also include a community hub office and meeting spaces for community groups.
The plans say the development would also be a boost for local wildlife with a ten per cent biodiversity net gain, due to restoring the natural water flow of the nearby Syd Brook.
Siobhan Sweeney, North West land manager for Story Homes, said: ‘We are excited to bring forward plans for this significant development on a well-known local site.
The site of the former Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire could be turned into hundreds of new homes
The park closed in 2012 after nearly 30 years and has been empty ever since
It was home to the legendary Knightmare roller coaster – the structure of which remained standing tall even after it was shut down
The Knightmare roller coaster was one of 26 attractions at the theme park
The 140-acre property continued to operate until 2012 when it had to fire 150 members of staff
‘Our proposal not only addresses the strong demand for high-quality, affordable homes in Chorley, but also places emphasis on sustainability and community investment.
‘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.’
During the height of its popularity, Camelot was one of the north west’s most prominent tourist attractions, featuring a range of offerings like the amusement ride Excalibur 2, and hosting live jousting in an arena.
Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, the ill-fated park was boarded up after being open to the public for nearly 30 years.
Owners Knights Leisure said bad weather contributed to low visitor numbers – and so the decision was made to shut the park down, with over 150 staff losing their jobs.
The amusement park was home to the legendary Knightmare roller coaster – the structure of which remained standing tall even after it was shut down and was only dismantled in 2020.
Other famous rides at the medieval-themed park included the Dragon Flyer, Caterpillar Capers, The Galleon and Pendragon’s Plunge.
Organisers would also perform jousting events in the theme park’s arena and do magic shows.
The park was named after the castle associated with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
It has remained empty for 15 years since closing in 2012
Mannequins at the theme park have been left to decay
Owners Knights Leisure said bad weather and events such as the Olympics contributed to low visitor numbers
An abandoned theme park was demolished after falling into disrepair since it closed in 2012
The amusement park was only dismantled in 2020, some eight years after closing
Unnerving photos taken in 2016 show mannequins with half-rotted faces after the park was left to rot
The park began to look like the set of a horror movie four years after its closure
This image shows an area of the park that has had its walls smashed down, with tiles lying on the dirty ground and wires dangling from holes
Unnerving: A green ride carriage with peeling paint and a headless mannequin on its seat is pictured left
A Wimpy eatery was left in a ruined state, with smashed tiles covering the floor, broken walls and graffiti marring the sign.
A ghost graffitied on the walls when the building became abandoned
Many will remember the park, which opened in 1983, for hosing live jousting events in a replica arena
A horse statue left to rot looks menacing in amongst the foliage
And an episode of the famous children’s TV show Sooty & Co was even filmed at the theme park in 1994.
When the owners closed the theme park after 29 years they also blamed large public events such as the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee for a decline in visitors.
The theme park changed ownership to Granada Group in 1986 but it was sold again in 1998 after a management buyout.
By 2005 only 336,204 visitors came to Camelot every year when it once attracted more than 500,000. Last year Thorpe Park boasted 1.7million visitors.
In February 2009 owners Prime Resorts announced the park was in receivership – meaning it was placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others.
Companies are usually only placed in receivership if they can’t meet financial obligations.
A Carlisle-based construction company, Story Group, then bought the theme park and leased it to Knight’s Leisure.
Story Homes were refused planning permission ten years ago by Chorley Borough Council to build 420 new homes on the site.
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