Revised plans submitted for Camelot housing

Story Homes has submitted an outline planning application for a development of up to 195 homes at the site south west of Chorley, less than half the 420 homes proposed in the developer’s earlier plan rejected by council planners in 2014.

If approved this time, there would be 30,000 sq ft of employment space, 10,000 sq ft of which would form an office for Story Homes’ Lancashire division. The remaining 20,000 sq ft would be workshop units for small companies.

Residents opposed the 2014 plans, fearing it would generate excessive vehicle movements on quiet rural roads. They argued that the development was too big compared to nearby villages of Heskin with 320 homes and Charnock Richard, where there are 500 houses.

Story Homes’ development planner Siobhan Sweeney said: “Over the last 18 months we have been working hard to create a smaller scheme for the Camelot site that responds to the comments we received during our previous application.

“Following on from a public consultation with stakeholders and the local community in March 2017, we are now seeking outline planning consent for a new development of 195 homes, an office for Story Homes North West and an area for employment units which could deliver around 80 new jobs.

“The former Camelot theme park is in desperate need of regeneration and we want to replace this eyesore with a high-quality scheme that local residents and businesses will be proud of.

“We are renowned for designing high quality homes throughout the North West and for our striking street scenes on our developments. In the design of our proposal we have paid careful attention to the local area’s different forms of development, architecture, appearance and material and these will be highly visible when travelling around the development creating a unique sense of space. Wherever possible, we will use local materials on the properties and elsewhere on the site too.”

Camelot Theme Park opened in 1983 and operated seasonally until its closure in 2012.

Bartwon Willmore advises Story Homes. A decision on the application is anticipated in autumn 2017.