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Christian theme park plans back on
A Wigan company's plans to create the country's first Christian theme park are back on the table after proposals to site it in Southport collapsed.
Last month, it was revealed that Standish-based religious group AH Trust wanted to build a 5,000-capacity Bible-themed tourist attraction in neighbouring Chorley.
However, interest in the 3.5m scheme waned after the group announced it was looking at Merseyside sites.
Now, Alan Wright of the AH Trust, says the Chorley option could be back on the cards after the plans had a cool response in Southport.
He said: "Our costs to build the theme park are 3.5m but because Southport is a desired area it would cost 4.75m.
"We asked people in Southport would they, in the way of grants, give us the extra 1.25m to enable us to build the park, but they laughed."
The charity group say they are focusing their attentions on Chorley, which already has the Camelot Theme Park at Charnock Richard, and they have already found a potential site.
However, the location is not being revealed until negotiations with the current owners are completed.
Mr Wright said: "Finding 20 acres of land without council support is mission impossible.
"When we are asked are we thinking of building the complex in a certain area, our answer is 'yes', providing we can build the complex for 3.5m and this means council backing."
The park will include two interactive cinemas, a cafeteria, six shops and a television recording studio to produce Christian-themed documentaries.
There are also plans for three exhibition centres containing 3D cinematic holograms depicting stories from the Bible.
The park would be the first of its kind in Britain, following the success of Holy Land Experience in Florida where visitors can see an image of Jesus forced to carry his cross by Roman soldiers.
When initial plans were unveiled last month, the scheme received widespread support from local business people, organisations and even the boss of Camelot Theme Park.
The council also said it was "more than happy" to support the scheme.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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