King Charles has been dealt a massive blow as the monarch has become the subject of serious complaints.
The King’s vision for an ideal town has hit a snag as residents of Poundbury, Dorset, have complained of overflowing bins, rat infestations, and foul odours.
The picturesque community, built on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, has become embroiled in a dispute between locals and the council over rubbish collection.
Residents state that uncollected waste has left the town looking “like a third world country”, with one claiming “the King would be horrified.”
Overflowing bins have been photographed outside several apartment blocks, leading to concerns about public health and the town’s reputation.
The situation has dealt a blow to the monarch’s urban planning ideals, as Poundbury was intended to showcase principles of architecture and community design outlined in his 1989 book, “A Vision of Britain”.
Residents have expressed their frustration with the situation. One local told The Telegraph: “There are rats everywhere and the smell is awful. No one seems to be bothered.”
Jay Morrachan, a resident in an affected block of flats, said: “It reflects badly on us, and it’s not nice to be living around this.
King Charles visits a Poundbury construction site in 2023
PA
“It is an eyesore as no one wants to come here and see rubbish.”
The issue appears to be widespread, with overflowing bins reported outside several apartment blocks.
Some residents have even compared the town to a “council house estate”, a stark contrast to the intended vision of an ideal community.
The situation has raised concerns about public health and the overall aesthetics of Poundbury, which was designed to showcase traditional architectural styles and community planning principles.
King Charles and Queen Camilla in ‘The Duchess of Cornwall’ pub in Poundbury in 2016 – named after Camilla
PA
Dorset Council has defended its position, stating that the bins have been “contaminated” with unrecyclable materials.
A council spokesman told The Telegraph: “Waste collections have been infrequent here as the communal recycling bins are often contaminated with unrecyclable material.”
The council refuses to empty recycling bins containing large amounts of incorrect items, citing higher disposal costs for taxpayers and negative environmental impacts.
They are working to identify the responsible residents’ association or householders to resolve the issue.
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Queen Elizabeth visiting Poundbury in 2016
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One resident suggested that the pursuit of aesthetics in Poundbury’s design may have led to insufficient communal bin provision for the town’s 4,600 inhabitants.
The council’s stance has further fuelled the ongoing dispute between residents and local authorities over waste management in the King’s model town.
Poundbury, established in 1993, was the Duchy’s first “urban extension” and represents King Charles’s vision for an ideal town.
Built on the outskirts of Dorchester, it features neoclassical and Georgian-style architecture, with Queen Mother Square as its centrepiece.
