Prince William dragged into a planning row: Locals raise fresh fears over the Duchy of Cornwall's bid to build 2,500 homes on 320 acres of Kent farmland which they fear will 'swallow up historic villages' and 'radically alter' a south-east 'gem'

Prince William has been dragged into a long-running row over the Duchy of Cornwall's plan for building eco-homes which residents fear will swallow their town.

Residents of Faversham have slammed the application to build on 320 acres of agricultural land to the south-east of Faversham which was acquired in 1999, when King Charles was the Prince of Wales and owned the estate.

Plans for the neighbourhood would see a new primary school, a cricket pitch, shops and offices built next to new eco-homes powered by renewable energy.

But locals have today expressed fresh concerns that the plans will 'radically alter what is one of the gems' in the south-east of England.

Prince William, who is now the Prince of Wales, controls the estate and its £345million property portfolio - which includes 128,000 acres of land - after inheriting it from his father.

The plans, which were first announced when Charles managed the Duchy in 2018, seek to build 120 homes each year across a 20-year period. 

The same accusations were laid at King Charles' doorstep when he led the Duchy, and reared its head again last week when residents lashed out, claiming the proposals would leave their beloved community an 'urban mess'.

 Pictured: Charles views the renovation work taking place 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 the then Duke of Cornwall, managed the Duchy in 2018, seek to build 120 homes each year across a 20-year period

Prince William, who is now the Prince of Wales, (pictured in March) controls the estate and its £345million property portfolio - which includes 128,000 acres of land - after inheriting it

Inheriting the Duchy has made the new Prince of Wales the biggest private landowner in Britain, with a £1.2 billion holding across 23 counties, including farms, housing developments, seven castles, woodland, coastlines and commercial property.

Faversham, which is about 10 miles from Canterbury, has a population of just 20,000.

Residents of the town have criticised the proposals put forward by the Duchy of Cornwall which they believe will 'swallow up' the town and turn it into an 'urban mass'.

Ray Backler, 71, said: 'I think that it's not well thought out - especially given that King Stephen is buried in the middle of Faversham!

'The size of population if these plans go ahead would radically alter what is one of the gems in the southeast of England.

'The biggest concern is medical provision. It's really tight here, and the population has already increased considerably due to a number of other developments on the outskirts of town.'

King Stephen was buried in Faversham Abbey - which he founded - after his death in 1154.

The abbey was then dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538 and King Stephen's remains were thrown into Faversham Creek, according to legend.

However, the exact location of his skeleton remains shrouded in mystery.

A concept drawing of what some of the homes in the Faversham development could look like

The plans state there will be space for 'food stores and independent retailers, craftmakers and producers', while a new high street will feature a range of restaurants, cafes and office spaces

Residents of Faversham (pictured), in Kent, have criticised the proposals put forward by the Duchy of Cornwall which they believe will 'swallow up' their town

But local Helen Neaves, 60, said: 'I'm generally quite stressed about the amount of building around Faversham.

'That is a concern as Faversham is a relatively small market town - it obviously will have big impact.

'I would imagine if it's his [Charles'] he's probably going to make sure it's more ethically managed, but it's still a bit of a worry.'

A masterplan was submitted last December, seeking consent for an initial 261 homes on the site, as well as a local centre with shops along with community and business spaces.

But locals argue the town does not have the infrastructure support such a development.

Some have claimed the proposals will negatively impact the local environment and contradict the King's love for the natural world, while others say it 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 market homes', according to a website for the development.

Faversham is located in Kent, in the south east of England, around ten miles from Canterbury

The houses are earmarked for a plot of 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 enjoyable place in which 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 earmarked for 'food stores and independent retailers, craftmakers and producers', while a new high street will feature a range 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 range of health related facilities,' the website states.

A new 'employment area' will also feature on the eastern part of the site and will include 'light industrial and distribution businesses encouraged to relocate nearer junction 7 of the M2'. Faversham's cricket club will also be relocated in the new development, with its current location being redeveloped into housing.

The plans were recently put out for public consultation with Swale Borough Council, prompting a number of angered locals to voice their concerns.  

A spokesman for the Duchy of Cornwall told the Telegraph: 'South-east Faversham will, if planning permission is granted, follow in the footsteps of Poundbury, Nansledan and other sustainable Duchy developments and become one of the most environmentally friendly neighbourhoods in the United Kingdom.

'It will prioritise access to green spaces, sustainable transport and will focus on the community's needs - including affordable housing and a new primary school as well as new traffic infrastructure and healthcare services.

'New green spaces including meadows, orchards, allotments and woodland means biodiversity is set to increase by 20 per cent while a focus on sustainable travel and building a walkable neighbourhood is expected to generate 20 per cent fewer car trips compared to similar-sized communities.'

The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence to 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. The revenue 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 meaningful value to the local community'.