Prince Charles plans new mansion

Clarence House says the mansion will be a "letting property"

Prince Charles has submitted plans to build a mansion on a former Georgian country house site in Herefordshire.

It will be built in the same style as the old Harewood Park House on the banks of the River Wye, a Clarence House spokesman said.

He added it was intended to be an investment for the rental market.

The original mansion was used as a hospital during World War II but was demolished in 1959, because its owners could not afford to maintain it.

'Tradition'

Plans for a "replacement dwelling and associated landscaping" have been lodged with Herefordshire Council, which has to approve them before work begins.

It is thought plans for the main building include six to eight bedrooms, two reception rooms and an orangery.

The spokesman said: "It's being built very much in the old style, with all the atmosphere and tradition.

"At the moment it's being built very much as investment for the rental market as a letting property," the spokesman said, dismissing speculation it might be a future home for Prince William.

"It will take four to seven years to build."

The secluded location is part of a 900-acre estate bought by the Duchy of Cornwall in 2000.

Architect Craig Hamilton has been picked to design the building, which will be constructed using local stone.