Latest news with #DuchyofCornwall
BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Prince William unveils plan to restore Dartmoor
The Prince of Wales has said restoring nature and tackling global warming are key to keeping Dartmoor William, the Duke of Cornwall, said a 20-year plan for the duchy's Dartmoor estate aimed to restore peatlands, upland habitats and promote sustainable had found the national park was prone to increasingly dry summers and frost-free winters, said the Duchy of prince urged action to "keep Dartmoor special" by "responding to the twin challenges of global warming". The project will focus on "coordinated public and private investment" to restore peatlands and upland mosaic habitats in the south Devon a foreword to the Landscape Vision project, the prince said the vision was "bold and ambitious" and he hoped it would be delivered "for generations to come".Researchers had found the average number of frost days in Dartmoor was expected to halve over the next 40 years while the odds of a dry summer would rise by 30%, said the said 2C (35.6F) of global warming could prevent Dartmoor being suitable for blanket peatland, which stores carbon and water and sustains biodiversity. 'Dartmoor can thrive' Prince William said: "Dartmoor is a magnificent and complex ecosystem – the balance between nature and people has evolved for thousands of years to shape the landscape we recognise today."The Dartmoor Vision shows us what might be possible and how that might be achieved."To keep Dartmoor special, we must respond to the twin challenges of global warming and the requirement to restore nature, while ensuring the communities on Dartmoor can thrive."The project is also seeking to create "partnerships between landowners, farmers and wildlife teams" and foster "collaboration and mutual respect in what has historically been a contested landscape".The duchy said it would promote sustainable farming as well as initiatives to provide affordable housing for landscape managers and retiring workers. Matthew Morris, rural director at the duchy, said: "With the Dartmoor landscape increasingly vulnerable to climate change, the need to build resilience is clearer than ever."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tackling global warming is key to keeping Dartmoor ‘special', says William
Restoring nature and tackling global warming are key to keeping Dartmoor 'special', the Prince of Wales has said ahead of his visit to the area. The Duchy of Cornwall and Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Project (CDLR) launched a new project to 'create a resilient environment' and meet the changing needs of Dartmoor's communities. William, the Duke of Cornwall, is visiting restored peatland there on Thursday as part of the 20-year plan for the duchy's Dartmoor estate. In a foreword to the Landscape Vision project, the Prince of Wales said: 'Dartmoor is a magnificent and complex ecosystem – the balance between nature and people has evolved for thousands of years to shape the landscape we recognise today. 'To keep Dartmoor special, we must respond to the twin challenges of global warming and the requirement to restore nature, while ensuring the communities on Dartmoor can thrive. 'The Dartmoor Vision shows us what might be possible and how that might be achieved. 'It is bold and ambitious and something that I hope, by working together, can be delivered for not just the current generation but for generations to come.' Researchers found the average number of frost days in Dartmoor is expected to halve over the next 40 years while the odds of a dry summer will rise by 30%, the Duchy of Cornwall said. It added that 2C of global warming could prevent Dartmoor being suitable for blanket peatland, which stores carbon and water and sustains biodiversity. The project will focus on 'coordinated public and private investment' to restore peatlands and upland mosaic habitats in the south Devon area. It is also seeking to create 'partnerships between landowners, farmers and wildlife teams' and foster 'collaboration and mutual respect in what has historically been a contested landscape'. The duchy said it will promote sustainable farming as well as initiatives to provide affordable housing for landscape managers and retiring workers. Around 35,000 people live in Dartmoor and more than two million people visit each year. Claire Hyne, project manager at CDLR, said: 'The Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Project plans to continue to work alongside the duchy, farmers and commoners to co-create integrated land management plans whilst identifying opportunities for green finance and funding to help sustain farm businesses, test new ideas and deliver positive environmental outcomes.' Matthew Morris, rural director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said they want to set up a 'shared and multifunctional approach to the way the land is farmed, managed, and used, and in doing so create a more resilient Dartmoor environment'. Mr Morris added: 'With the Dartmoor landscape increasingly vulnerable to climate change, the need to build resilience is clearer than ever.'
Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Times
Downtown Abbey creator's anger at homes near Thomas Hardy's house
The creator of Downton Abbey has accused Dorset Council of having 'no appreciation for history' after it granted the Duchy of Cornwall permission to build 100 houses next to Thomas Hardy's historic home in Dorset. Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, who is president of the Thomas Hardy Society, questioned whether the developers had a 'conscience' over the plans. He said developing the countryside so close to where the Victorian novelist wrote many of his great works, such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge, would make it more difficult for fans to understand Hardy's inspiration. The Thomas Hardy Society said it would be challenging the decision by Dorset council and urged the duchy to spare the 'sacred' land at Stinsford, on
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes says Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall has 'no conscience' after go-ahead to build 100 houses next to Thomas Hardy's home
The creator of Downton Abbey has said Prince William 's Duchy of Cornwall has 'no conscience' after they were given the go-ahead to build 100 houses. Lord Julian Fellowes is urging the royal estate to spare the 'sacred land' which is next to the Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy's historic home. He said developing the countryside so close to where the iconic author wrote many of his great works would make it harder for fans to understand Hardy's methods. The Thomas Hardy Society, of which Lord Fellowes is president, confirmed it would be challenging the decision. They also accused the Duchy of trying to take over Dorchester, citing King Charles ' sprawling designer village of Poundbury to the west of the market town. Hardy, an architect before he became a celebrated novelist, had Grade I Max Gate built in Stinsford on the outskirts of Dorchester in 1885. It was there he wrote some of his best work including Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude the Obscure. He was often inspired by the landscape that surrounded him. He renamed Wessex towns and villages in his books and graphically detailed the countryside he explored in them. In 2022 C.G Fry, the Duchy of Cornwall's developers for Poundbury, submitted plans for 107 houses to be built on four paddocks of land to the north of Max Gate. Dorset Council has now approved the plans despite a number of objections. Lord Fellowes, who lives in the nearby village of West Stafford, said: 'The people who have approved this clearly have no appreciation for the history of the county and the importance of Thomas Hardy to the area. 'I don't really see how the developers and the council, grown men and women, can do that with a conscience. 'I understand that they have to do something about the shortage of housing but there are so many other places that they could be built that would not interfere with such historic sites. 'It will be much more difficult for future generations to truly understand Hardy's life and works.' Mark Chutter, chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society, said: 'This land is quite sacred in terms of the life of Thomas Hardy. 'I know building houses is important but they need to be located appropriately. It should not be adjacent to historic buildings such as Max Gate. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) British poet, novelist and dramatist with his second wife, Florence 'I think the Duchy of Cornwall should think again and should consider the importance of Hardy to the surrounding land. 'The development needs to be stopped so the land can be protected. 'We have already got Poundbury which is Duchy of Cornwall land. That is a huge development which they are still building and now they want to do this so close to Max Gate. 'Why do they have to be there of all locations? 'The Thomas Hardy Society will be challenging this and raising the importance of the location.' The Duchy of Cornwall was established in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne. It is a major landowner with 130,000 acres of land and brings in £24m a year in profit. After King Charles ascended the throne in 2023 Prince William took over ownership of the Duchy. Mr Chutter said: 'It worries me that the Duchy of Cornwall seems to be taking over west Dorset. 'Poundbury has been going on for years and this seems to be next. We are going to be inundated with buildings. 'We are going to get crowded with buildings and the character of Dorchester will become unrecognisable.' Neil Mathews, chairman of the board of trustees of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Dorset, said: 'We recognise the need to build more houses but it has to be done respectfully and in the right manner. 'Developers seem to be building large houses that certainly are not affordable for young people and first-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder. 'We hope that the developers will be sympathetic towards Max Gate and the ancient henge in the area and not disrespect the historic land. 'I would hope that the Prince of Wales would take an interest in the development and I hope that he would be sympathetic towards the history and heritage and make sure of the affordable nature of the new homes. 'There are also issues with infrastructure. I know the nearest doctors surgery is full to capacity and the schools are at their limit. 'The roads are already rammed. 'There is always the danger that this could be a slippery slope and more and more greenfield land becomes built on.' In its planning application the Duchy acknowledged the proximity of the development to Max Gate, which is run by the National Trust, but said it would not harm the visitor experience. It said: 'This change would not materially affect the experience of the house from the surrounding area, nor the experience within its grounds. 'On this basis it is concluded that the proposed development would not result in any harm to the significance of the house.' They said the scheme will provide 'high-quality homes, including affordable housing, whilst complementing the unique historic identity of the area'. Paul Hoffmann, of CG Fry, added: 'I do not think that the proposed development would result in Max Gate suffering a loss of significance.' Hardy lived at Max Gate from 1885, firstly with wife Emma, and then with his second wife Florence. He dictated his final poem while lying on his deathbed at the property.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dorchester homes approved by Dorset Council on Duchy-owned land
Plans for more than 100 homes on Duchy of Cornwall-owned land in Dorchester have been given the green light. Dorset Council has approved plans to build on four fields near St Georges Road and either side of the Dorchester bypass and railway development has been discussed for almost five years and out of the 107 properties proposed, 35% will be affordable project will be undertaken by C G Fry, one of the principle builders for the Duchy's Poundbury development and will provide jobs for at least two years. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, one of the four paddock plots is next to Thomas Hardy's Max Gate home and runs downhill parallel with Syward Road to the rail line. The homes will be a combination of coach house apartments, located above garages, and two, three and four bedroom terraced or detached road junctions in St Georges Road and Syward Road will be created to access the area, with another access point from Friars Close - which some residents in Louds Piece had objected application also acknowledged the development would impact the setting of Max Gate, which is operated by the National Trust. It said: "This change would not materially affect the experience of the house from the surrounding area, nor the experience within its grounds. "On this basis it is concluded that the proposed development would not result in any harm to the significance of the house."Dorset councillors heard on Tuesday that most of the existing trees and hedgerows would be kept with additional landscaping used within the four Council's area planning committee previously agreed the development in July 2024 and the agreements have now officially been signed off. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
