Prince William has been drawn into a long-running row over the Duchy of Cornwall’s plan to build eco-friendly homes that residents fear will swallow up their city.
Faversham residents have criticized the application to build on 320 acres of agricultural land south-east of Faversham, which was acquired in 1999, when King Charles was Prince of Wales and owned the estate.
Plans for the neighborhood would include the construction of a new primary school, a cricket pitch, shops and offices alongside new eco-friendly homes powered by renewable energy.
But locals have today raised fresh concerns that the plans will “radically alter what is one of the jewels” in the south-east of England.
Prince William, who is now Prince of Wales, controls the estate and his £345 million property portfolio, which includes 128,000 acres of land, after inheriting it from his father.
The plans, which were first announced when Charles was administering the Duchy in 2018, seek to build 120 homes each year over a 20-year period.
The same accusations were leveled at King Charles’ doorstep when he led the duchy, and emerged again last week when residents lashed out, claiming the proposals would leave their beloved community an “urban disaster”.
Pictured: Charles looks at the renovation work carried out at Llwynywormwood in 2008.
Prince William (pictured with his father), who is the Prince of Wales, now controls the estate after inheriting it from his father, King Charles III, when he was made King.
The plans, which were first announced when the King, as then Duke of Cornwall, was administering the Duchy in 2018, seek to build 120 homes each year over a 20-year period.
Prince William, now Prince of Wales, (pictured in March) controls the estate and his £345 million property portfolio, which includes 128,000 acres of land, after inheriting it.
Inheriting the Duchy has made the new Prince of Wales Britain’s largest private landowner, with £1.2 billion worth of property across 23 counties, including farms, housing estates, seven castles, forests, coastlines and commercial properties.
Faversham, which is about 10 miles from Canterbury, has a population of only 20,000.
Residents of the town have criticized proposals put forward by the Duchy of Cornwall which they believe will “devour” the town and turn it into an “urban mass”.
Ray Backler, 71, said: “I don’t think it’s well thought out, especially as King Stephen is buried in the middle of Faversham!
‘The size of the population, if these plans go ahead, would radically alter what is one of the jewels of the south east of England.
‘The biggest concern is medical provision. The situation here is very tight and the population has already increased considerably due to other developments on the outskirts of the city.’
King Stephen was buried at Faversham Abbey, which he founded, after his death in 1154.
Henry VIII then dissolved the abbey in 1538 and King Stephen’s remains were thrown into Faversham Creek, according to legend.
However, the exact location of his skeleton remains a mystery.
A conceptual drawing of what some of the houses in the Faversham development could look like
The plans state there will be space for “independent food shops and retailers, artisans and producers”, while a new high street will feature a variety of restaurants, cafes and office spaces.
Residents of Faversham (pictured) in Kent have criticized proposals put forward by the Duchy of Cornwall which they believe will “devour” their town.
But Helen Neaves, 60, said: “Overall I am quite stressed by the amount of building around Faversham.
‘This is worrying as Faversham is a relatively small market town; Obviously, it will have a big impact.
‘I imagine that if it were yours [Charles’] They’ll probably make sure it’s managed more ethically, but it’s still a bit worrying.’
A masterplan was submitted last December, seeking consent for 261 initial homes on the site, as well as a local center with shops, community and commercial spaces.
But locals argue that the city does not have the necessary infrastructure for such development.
Some have claimed the proposals will have a negative impact on the local environment and contradict the King’s love for the natural world, while others say they will increase traffic and air pollution.
The proposals have been put forward to address the housing crisis and will deliver an “ideal town” in line with a similar urban development in Poundbury.
It will deliver “affordable homes designed and built to the same high-quality standards, indistinguishable from homes on the market,” according to a development website.
Faversham is located in Kent, in the south-east of England, about ten miles from Canterbury.
The houses are set on land to the south-east of Faversham which was acquired by the Duchy in 1999, when the estate was managed by the then Prince Charles.
The website adds: ‘South East Faversham will be an attractive, modern and friendly place where people can live, work, shop and relax. It will be guided by local needs and inspired by the character of Faversham.’
There will also be space reserved for “independent food shops and retailers, artisans and producers”, while a new high street will feature a variety of restaurants, cafes and office spaces.
“There will be a new primary school and options are being explored for a care home and potentially a number of health-related facilities,” the website states.
There will also be a new “employment area” on the eastern part of the site and will include “light industrial and distribution businesses who are encouraged to relocate closer to Junction 7 of the M2”. Faversham Cricket Club will also relocate to the new development, with its current location redeveloped into housing.
The plans recently went out to public consultation with Swale Borough Council, prompting several angry locals to voice their concerns.
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Cornwall told the Telegraph: “If planning permission is granted, South East Faversham will follow in the footsteps of Poundbury, Nansledan and other sustainable developments in the Duchy and become one of the most environmentally friendly neighborhoods. from United Kingdom”. .
‘It will prioritize access to green space and sustainable transport and focus on community needs, including affordable housing and a new primary school, as well as new traffic infrastructure and health services.
‘New green spaces, including meadows, orchards, orchards and forests, mean biodiversity will increase by 20 percent, while a focus on sustainable travel and building a walkable neighborhood is expected to generate 20 percent less car trips compared to communities of similar size. ‘
The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence for his heir, Prince Edward.
A charter ruled that each future Duke of Cornwall would be the eldest surviving son of the monarch and heir to the throne. Income from his estate is used to fund the public, private and charitable activities of the Duke and his immediate family.
It is the Duchy’s responsibility to manage the estate in a way that is “sustainable, financially viable and of significant value to the local community”.