One of the UK's most magical theme parks could be flattened-with new plans lodged to transform the 140-acre site into a new English village of 350 . Opened in 1983, Camelot Theme Park in Chorley, Lancashire, was based on the legend of King Arthur, with themed rides, food outlets, and activities centred on the Excalibur-wielding king.

Since 2013 - except for occasional events like live-acting zombie horror experiences using the disused site as a . Now owners Story Homes has asked Chorley Borough for a 'Screening Opinion' - raising any potential environmental concerns - ruling ahead of a full planning application for a residential development of 350 homes.

Story Homes' agent stresses that although the new proposal involves a change of use, residential dwellings are in keeping with the surrounding environment.

They add: "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."

The unique theme park was based on the legend of Camelot and its knights, after a local myth links the Lancashire site to Sir Lancelot.

The area was once covered by Martin Mere, sometimes described as the largest body of fresh water in England, which was first drained in 1692.

Stories claim Sir Lancelot's parents King Ban of Benwick and his queen Elaine escaped to Lancashire from their enemies in France.

Elaine went to help King Ban who had fallen and put Lancelot down on the shore of the lake, where he was abducted by nymph Vivian who vanished into the waters of the lake with him.

Vivian brought up Lancelot, and when he went to King Arthur's court, he was knighted as 'Sir Lancelot of the Lake' with Martin Mere dubbed by some the 'Lost Lake of Sir Lancelot'.

When opened in 1983, the park featured several thrill rides and roller coasters, including Whirlwind, Knightmare, and Excalibur.

On November 4, 2012, it was announced the park would not be reopening for the season of 2013.

Since then, the site has been a and the occasional zombie-themed weekend horror events.

Now Story Homes has asked Chorley Borough Council for a Screening Opinion ahead of making a full planning application for the site.

A statement submitted to the council's planning portal this week says: "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'."

A Screening Opinion is a formal way for a developer to ask a planning authority whether a proposed development will likely require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

That ensures potential environmental impacts are raised in advance during the start of the planning process.

Previous planning applications on the Camelot site have been rejected due to a lack of infrastructure and the impact on Green Belt land.

Story Homes' original planning application for 420 houses was rejected by Chorley Council in 2014.

A public consultation for up to 275 homes was then launched in 2016, but it was scaled back to 200 after more than 100 people gave feedback, many saying the numbers were too high.

In 2018, Story Homes saw plans for 195 homes on the site rejected by Chorley Council's planning committee.

However, research published in 2019 said it could build 6,294 new homes on its 140-acre site, with a potential development value of around £790 million.

The latest request document states that Park Hall Road would be the primary means of access to the development.

It adds: "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.

A section of the Syd Brook is also proposed to be de-culverted with the aim of improving the ecological status of the watercourse.