Prince's green town gets go-ahead

Published on Friday 4 December 2009 22:10

THE Prince of Wales's plans for the "Scottish Poundbury" – an architecturally-pleasing green town billed as 'good for people and good for the planet' – moved from dream to reality yesterday.

East Ayrshire Council gave outline planning permission to Knockroon – a community of 770 homes, workplaces, leisure and open spaces that will all be in walking distance.

Overseen by the Prince's Charitable Foundation, Knockroon will be built on land next to Dumfries House, the stately home which he helped buy for 45million to save its stunning Chippendale furniture collection.

But the foundation was at pains to stress yesterday it will be a neighbourhood "extension" to the town of Cumnock, helping revitalise its economically struggling centre, rather than an separate community.

Foundation chief executive Hank Dittmar said he was delighted: "I share our long-term commitment to help East Ayrshire, and this decision is a key step. Dumfries House is a priceless tourist asset.

"It always was our vision to bring the house, the landscape and the new neighbourhood together in a dynamic partnership."

Knockroon has been widely compared to Poundbury in Dorset, the Duchy of Cornwall's first exercise in urban development, whose traditional small-town look has been both praised and ridiculed.

Knockroon is an estimated 25-year building project, with sustainable architecture for homes using green energy from biomass or wind power.

A detailed planning application is to follow, with construction projected to begin in summer next year.