The Masterplan

In 1987 the local planning authority, West Dorset District Council, selected Duchy land to the west of Dorchester for future expansion of the town. As Duke of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales – who re-examined many of the precepts of urban and rural planning in his book ‘A Vision of Britain’, took the opportunity to work with the council to create an exemplary urban addition to the ancient market town.

In 1988, The Duke appointed the architect and urban planner, Leon Krier, to prepare the overall development concept for 160 hectares, within the line of the Dorchester Bypass – 100 hectares of mixed-use buildings and 60 hectares of landscaping.

Krier is well known in Europe and America as a champion of traditional urban design. His challenge was to create an self-contained new extension to the town in harmony with traditional Dorset architecture.

In 1989, the Masterplan was exhibited at the Planning Weekend attended by The Prince of Wales, and the subsequent public comment was reflected in the scheme before planning consent was sought.

The Masterplan divides Poundbury into four distinctive quarters. For development purposes, each quarter corresponds to a Phase. Construction of Phase 1 of Poundbury commenced in October 1993 and was completed in 2002.

Poundbury is being phased according to market demand and is expected to increase the population of Dorchester by about one-quarter (approximately 5,000 people) over the next 15 to 20 years. As at the beginning of 2006, there were approximately 1,450 people living in Poundbury and 700 employed in businesses.

Web Design Cornwall by Creative Steam