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Duke of Rothesay’s Knockroon development receives planning permission
21st January 2011
The Knockroon development, which is being undertaken by The Prince of Wales (or The Duke of Rothesay as he is known in Scotland), has received planning permission from East Ayrshire Council. Construction will begin in the spring.
The land at Knockroon was bought by the Prince’s Charities Foundation at the time of the acquisition of Dumfries House in 2007. It was acquired as part of The Prince’s plan to use saving the House and its collection to help with the regeneration of the local area- what The Prince often refers to as ‘heritage-led regeneration’.
The subsidiary of the Prince’s Charities Foundation, which is developing the land, together with Hope Homes (Scotland) and ZeroC Holdings has received planning permission for the first phase.
Anne Hope, Director of Hope Homes (Scotland), said:
“As a local long-established trusted family housebuilder, Hope Homes (Scotland) are delighted to be working with the Prince’s Charities Foundation and ZeroC on this project. Knockroon has been designed to foster a real sense of community. I think this is the sort of place in which families will very much want to set up home. It represents a unique chance to be part of something special, and when it is complete, we feel that the people of Ayrshire will take pride in Knockroon and that those living in Cumnock and Auchinleck will be pleased to be associated with the new community.”
The first phase of the Knockroon development will comprise 87 homes, 12 work units, four commercial buildings and a local shop. Spread over an area of 28 hectares, the development will eventually accommodate around 600 homes together with shops, workplaces and other community facilities
The Masterplan for the site was drawn up by the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment after extensive community consultation. Local support for the development has been encouraging throughout. The development follows the
principles used by The Prince of Wales for his successful development at Poundbury in Dorset.
The Chief Executive of the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, Hank Dittmar, said:
“The Prince’s Foundation is delighted that the first phase of the Knockroon development has received planning permission; it is fantastic that the vision will soon become a reality. The development has received encouraging support from the local community who engaged with the planning process at every stage. The project will be a leading example of sustainable development, as well as acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the local area.”
The project is being overseen by Andrew Hamilton, who is also the Development Director at Poundbury, and the architects for the first phase are Lachlan Stewart and Ben Pentreath.
ENDS
For Further information about the Knockroon development please call Eva Omaghomi, Clarence House Press Office, 020 7024 5510
Visit the Knockroon website: www.knockroon.com