We are getting more multiple-occupancy properties and the sense of space that made phase one such a success has gone. When the project – classed by the Duchy as an “urban extension” of Dorchester rather than a village – was started in 1993, each of the 300 acres marked for development was sold at about £40,000.Developers privately confirmed to The Independent this week that the going price for the second phase of Poundbury, some 200 dwellings to be completed by the end of next year, is about £400,000. The district council says a more accurate assessment of the density of Jubilee Court, including the surrounding area, is 34 dwellings per hectare.The campaigners cite Poundbury’s own founding principles which state: “The higher density of development makes cost-effective use of scarce land, but the layout … assures each house privacy and individuality, achieving an interesting townscape.”Glenys Jones, a retired classical musician who bought her home overlooking the new development in December, said: “We have a unique opportunity with Poundbury to create something that gets away from the problems of the past.

Instead, they want to put 40-odd people and their cars into a space where there are now two houses, and grass where children play. Why are they going out of their way to recreate a scenario where people are living cheek by jowl?”The evidence that Poundbury is being used by developers and the Duchy of Cornwall to improve their balance sheets as much as the social fabric of the West Country is growing. They have built up the credibility of Poundbury and now the ideology is taking a back seat to make money.”The campaigners, who will present a petition to this afternoon’s planning meeting decrying the development, say Jubilee Court will have a density of 132 dwellings per hectare, compared to Government guidance which states local authorities should aim for 30 to 50 units on housing developments.The result, Prod says, is that this corner of Dorset, overlooking the prehistoric hill fort of Maiden Castle, will have as many people per square metre as crowded housing estates in London boroughs such as Brent and Southwark. But this latest proposal isn’t about mixing social, commercial and recreational buildings.

It’s about cramming as many people as possible into an unsuitable space. It feels as if the developers are hiding behind the rhetoric of Poundbury as an experiment to maximise their return. But it is not the aesthetics of the development which are worrying the Poundbury Residents Opposed to Density (Prod).Formed less than six months ago by home owners close to the proposed development, the group consists of more than 40 villagers who fear Jubilee Court represents a change in the ethos of a project originally designed to give its inhabitants a stress-free, high-quality environment, regardless of their income. They feel so strongly that, if as expected, the council planning committee agrees to the apartment complex, they are considering going to the High Court to seek a judicial review of the proposals.David Dawkins, 40, a founding member of Prod and a professional planner, said: “One of the reasons I moved to Poundbury was that I was totally signed up to its idea of mixed development. And, say growing numbers of its inhabitants, the 0.2 hectare parcel of land is evidence that the attempt by Prince Charles and his Duchy of Cornwall Estate to build a classless society on the edge of the Roman market town of Dorchester is at risk of being overtaken by the less utopian notion of huge profits.Poundbury was born after the Prince, known for his views on the “carbuncles” of modern architecture, seized on the opportunity into practice his support for traditional building styles. At first glance, it is just like any other piece of wasteland. A road sign peeks out from among the brambles next to several pallets of abandoned bricks.

Outside two abandoned cottages, neatly fenced off from vandals, a pile of junk-mail rots in a puddle.
But this churned-up corner of muddy undergrowth is surrounded by the model village of Poundbury. The jury found that Mr Monson was an unlicensed and unqualified driver and had drugs in his system. At the time of his death, Mr Monson, 33, was the subject of three community rehabilitation orders after being found guilty of possessing heroin and cannabis resin and of obstructing a police officer.. We are co-operating fully with the inquiries on behalf of the coroner.”An inquest into the death is due to be opened tomorrow.Jack’s father, Garie, was killed two years ago when he crashed his car into a wall while being chased by police.The Police Complaints Authority held an investigation and an inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death last July.