POUNDBURY will become home to more people after a developer was given the go-ahead for a royally inspired apartment block.

Work will begin on 62 one and two-bedroom apartments at the newly named ‘Bowes Lyon Court’ early next year.

Developer McCarthy and Stone said it took inspiration from the Queen Mother’s full name, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, as the apartments will be located in Queen Mother Square.

The new assisted living development will offer the independence of retaining home ownership while living in an apartment designed for the over 70s.

Facilities will include 25,000ft of communal areas including a shared lounged, on-site restaurant, guest suite and laundry room.

Lorena Brown, sales director for McCarthy and Stone, said: “We pride ourselves on building communities and not just homes, so we always aim to select names for our new developments that will have real meaning to the local residents.

“Bowes Lyon Court will offer independence combined with the peace of mind of additional security, low maintenance and companionship.”

Poundbury turned 20 this year and, as reported in the Echo, the Prince of Wales paid his project a celebratory visit.

He said he hoped to live long enough to see the development complete and even made a joke about the new retirement development, He said: “I hope I shall live long enough to see it finished – I shall hope for the best but at least there is McCarthy and Stone over the road.”

The development is expected to be complete in 2025 with 2,500 houses built by then and 2,000 jobs created in its mix of factories, cafes and offices.