Royal village inspires developers

The developers want Croes Atti to integrate into the landscape

A new eco-friendly village inspired by one set up by Prince Charles in Dorset is to be created in Flintshire.

The Poundbury community in Dorset was chosen as a model for the new development in Croes Atti on former farmland near Oakenholt.

Developers, Anwyl, visited Poundbury several times before finalising the plans for the new community.

The firm said work was due to start on the development, which is designed to blend into the environment, in 2009.

Director Mat Anwyl said: "We were impressed by the way that Poundbury integrates into the landscape, and by the way it is easily accessible.

"We want to show how a new build can blend into the local environment and create a real sense of community and local identity."

Prince Charles's original concept was laughed at at first, but has proved very popular Commercial Director, Bryn Roberts

Poundbury, built on Duchy of Cornwall land on the outskirts of Dorchester, is an internationally-known example of sustainable urban development.

It came about after a long period of public consultation between 1988 and 1993, and isn't expected to be fully completed until 2025 when it will add house 5,000 people.

It puts into practice Prince Charles' strongly held views about architecture and town planning

First phase

Anwyl said lessons it had learnt from Poundbury include facing buildings outwards towards the rest of the community rather than turning their backs on communal areas.

Some land on the site, which overlooks the Dee Estuary, will be reserved for village greens, and existing streams and ponds on the land will be retained.

The firm's Commercial Director, Bryn Roberts, said: "Prince Charles's original concept was laughed at at first but has proved very popular, most importantly with the people who live there."

The first phase of the development will see 183 homes built on 24 acres of former farmland.