NEW images setting out the grand vision for the next stages of development at Poundbury have been released.

The Duchy of Cornwall’s estate director Simon Conibear says 2015 is set to be the busiest year yet for Prince Charles’ model development as some of its landmark buildings take shape.

He said: “Residents of Dorchester will have noticed the two enormous cranes hovering over Queen Mother Square in Poundbury for the last three months.

“They mark the location of two of the largest structures which will form important parts of the centre to the urban extension to the county town.

“The first, at the very apex of the project, will be Royal Pavilion, a residential block above a spa and shop.

“The building will be the highest in Poundbury, in accordance with the masterplan vision set out by Leon Krier in 1988.

“Already the base of its tower is coming out of the ground, looking like small triumphal arch.

“The other is a block of retirement flats under construction by McCarthy & Stone. Both will be completed in 2016.”

Mr Conibear said that in between the two buildings the large steel frame that can now be seen will house a new pub and restaurant, while next to that is Strathmore House, which will boast eight apartments above two shops to complete the east side of Queen Mother Square.

He said: “The pub and Strathmore House will both be completed by the end of this year, and make a massive difference to the sense of enclosure of the square.”

Mr Conibear said another ‘very significant development’ to look out for in the coming months is the new Damers first school, which will overlook the Great Field and cater for 600 pupils.

Construction work will begin in May after detailed planning permission was granted, with the school due to admit its first pupils in the autumn of 2016.

Alongside the school will be a block of 60 extra care flats for a local registered housing provider.

Mr Conibear added: “Meanwhile, Morrish Builders are completing the construction of the stone ‘bastide’ wall, which runs along the south side of the current phase, resplendent with gargoyles supplied by Weymouth College.

“Behind the wall Morrish will complete the construction of 30 further dwellings in the South West Quadrant of Poundbury over the next year.

“C.G. Fry have begun work on the North East Quadrant on the other side of Queen Mother Square, shortly to be joined by Morrish Builders and Zero C Developers.

“500 dwellings will be built over the next five years. The first of these will be for The Guinness Trust as affordable houses.

“There will be a range of private homes starting from £135,000.”

There will also be housing provided at the other end of the market, with Zero C set to sell spacious apartments in Strathmore House with prices ranging from £550,00 to £800,000.

However, Mr Conibear says that the development will continue to provide its share of affordable housing, including eight apartments on Peverell Avenue East that have just been released at a discounted rate.

He said: “Poundbury intends to maintain its tradition of supplying the housing needs of the broadest section of the community.”

At the start of this year there were more than 2,000 people employed in Poundbury, nearly as many as there are living there.

Mr Conibear said: “Poundbury is meeting the targets of its original vision whilst supporting the economy of Dorchester.

“And its anaerobic digester is providing the gas for most of Dorchester this winter, as well as the electricity for the No 6 Electric buses.

“2015 will probably be Poundbury’s busiest year.”