Inside Poundbury: King Charles’ experimental village

Queen visits Waitrose in Prince Charles's village Poundbury

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Featuring a pub named after the Duchess of Cornwall, a statue of the Queen Mother, and a Waitrose, Poundbury is Charles’ dream village, which he got to start planning and building a few years ago. The community is due to be finished in 2025, after more than 30 years of construction.

Poundbury is an experimental planning project that lies within the Duchy of Cornwall, a huge estate that was owned by Charles before he became King. It has now been handed to the new Prince of Wales, William.

When West Dorset Council decided to expand the town back in the 1980s, Charles jumped at the chance to help. He said at the time: “This should not be yet another soulless housing estate with a business park tacked on.”

The village is intended to be walkable and features a square holding a statue of the Queen Mother at its centre.

Although around one third of Pounbury’s properties are affordable housing for rent or shared ownership, not many young people live in the community.

According to census data from 2011, 51.4 percent of its residents are 16 to 64 years old, and 32.9 percent are over 65. 

Poundbury Magazine, published by the local community trust, advertises luxury car travel and wealth management advice, which suggests the background of its readership.

There are rules residents must follow if they want to live in Poundbury. A woman from a neighbouring village told VICE that she would never live in the experimental community, saying: “Look at the house prices here, and find out what the rules are for living here.”

Another woman added: “You have to be a certain type.”

There is a 52-page booklet on the guidelines for living and building in Poundbury. The rules include chimney sizes, such as that they are not allowed to be “inappropriately stout or dumpy”. 

Paving over lawns or artificial grass in front gardens “will not generally be approved”, and it is best that doors and windows are repaired, rather than replaced.

Solar panels aren’t allowed to be placed on roofs if they’re visible from the street, and emerging eco-friendly technology “involving changes to external appearance or potential nuisance to other residents will require the consent of the Regulator”.

The Duchess of Cornwall pub is one of the village’s main attractions. It boasts a huge menu with dishes varying from a 28-day aged sirloin steak to beer battered fish and chips.

The establishment has had mixed reviews in recent years.

On Trip Advisor, user @Moley2425 said: “Stumbled upon the Dutches of Cornwall inn last month after hearing good things and we weren’t disappointed. Gorgeous food, atmosphere, and incredible staff.

“They were all very helpful and assertive, especially Jack. Lovely experience and will be returning.”

User @rosedaledm, however, called their experience “disappointing”. They wrote: “Beautiful place, but cant say that for food or staff, no welcoming hello or good morning, when we arrived we ordered coffee in the bar while waiting for someone else to join us, we waited at the bar for five minutes while a couple who arrive after us were served and we were overlooked, our coffee arrived, which was tepid, our guest arrived and we all ordered the roast lunch when we asked what the veg of the day was, we were told ‘the usual veg’, when we asked ‘yes…what is the usual veg…this is our first visit’, he replied, ‘I don’t know I will ask my colleague’.

“The meals were brought to our table nice and quickly, and unfortunately this was also cold, the three potatoes on the plate were probably what you would class as a child’s portion, they were so small, definitely not cooked ‘In Dripping’ as the menu stated. Two slices of roast pork, and we had to ask for apple sauce. The menu said unlimited Yorkshire and gravy…we had no check back or the offer of more if we wanted it. All in all for £13.75 each this was disappointing. What a shame considering it is such a beautiful setting.”

Although people live there, Poundbury’s finishing touches haven’t been made yet – construction work is ongoing and is expected to be finished by 2025.

No longer the Duke of Cornwall, Charles has given Poundbury to his son, William, who takes on the title Duke of Cambridge and Cornwall, as well as Prince of Wales.

William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, while Charles has inherited the Queen’s personal fortne of around £625 million, and the Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate which manages all the holdings, properties and assets owned by the sovereign.

The Duchy of Lancaster estate made around £22million in profits in 2021.

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