Prince Charles has submitted plans for a brand new country house on the Harewood End estate, situated between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.
Designed by celebrated architect Craig Hamilton, the new house will be constructed using local stone in a traditional style, and the surrounding dependent buildings such as St Denis's Chapel will be carefully restored.
Plans have been submitted for a principal dwelling house, which will occupy the same site as Harewood Park, an 18th Century stately home that fell into disrepair and was eventually 'blown up' by the SAS in 1959. An 'inappropriate' bungalow which was built in its place will be demolished.
Harewood End estate has been subject to a thorough restoration since its purchase in 2000. As well as restoring the Park and the Chapel, the Duchy of Cornwall will also refurbish local residential and work units so that they can be occupied once again.
The Duchy purchased the estate, known locally as a ghost town, in 2000 from the Prudential, with the view of restoring it to its 'former glory'.
Harewood Park was the subject of controversy in the 1990s, when the walled gardens were used as a breeding centre for beagles to be used in animal experiments.
There were once several similar estates in Herefordshire, and it is hoped that Harewood End will be a vibrant community once again: 'It's an incredible site, and the intention is to bring life back to the town,' said a Duchy spokesperson.
The Duchy is keen to quell speculation that the house is intended for Prince William. The Duchy spokesperson said: 'It's too early to speculate who will occupy the house. Currently, the intention is for an open market letting. However it's a long way off at the moment as the building will not be completed for between four and seven years, maybe even 10.'
Read about Prince Charles's investment in rural Wales .
