The creator of Downton Abbey has said Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall has ‘no conscience’ after they were given the go-ahead to build 100 houses.
Lord Julian Fellowes is urging the royal estate to spare the ‘sacred land’ which is next to the Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy’s historic home.
He said developing the countryside so close to where the iconic author wrote many of his great works would make it harder for fans to understand Hardy’s methods.
The Thomas Hardy Society, of which Lord Fellowes is president, confirmed it would be challenging the decision.
They also accused the Duchy of trying to take over Dorchester, citing King Charles’ sprawling designer village of Poundbury to the west of the market town.
Hardy, an architect before he became a celebrated novelist, had Grade I Max Gate built in Stinsford on the outskirts of Dorchester in 1885.
It was there he wrote some of his best work including Tess of the d’Urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude the Obscure.
He was often inspired by the landscape that surrounded him. He renamed Wessex towns and villages in his books and graphically detailed the countryside he explored in them.
Lord Julian Fellowes is urging the royal estate to spare the ‘sacred land’ which is next to the Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy’s historic home. Pictured: Lord and Lady Fellowes
The historic home of Thomas Hardy is pictured. Mr Hardy was known for his many great works including Tess of the d’Urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude the Obscure
Pictured are the plans for the new housing which have now been given the go-ahead – the creator of Downton Abbey has said those behind them have ‘no appreciation of history’
In 2022 C.G Fry, the Duchy of Cornwall’s developers for Poundbury, submitted plans for 107 houses to be built on four paddocks of land to the north of Max Gate.
Dorset Council has now approved the plans despite a number of objections.
Lord Fellowes, who lives in the nearby village of West Stafford, said: ‘The people who have approved this clearly have no appreciation for the history of the county and the importance of Thomas Hardy to the area.
‘I don’t really see how the developers and the council, grown men and women, can do that with a conscience.
‘I understand that they have to do something about the shortage of housing but there are so many other places that they could be built that would not interfere with such historic sites.
‘It will be much more difficult for future generations to truly understand Hardy’s life and works.’
Mark Chutter, chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society, said: ‘This land is quite sacred in terms of the life of Thomas Hardy.
‘I know building houses is important but they need to be located appropriately. It should not be adjacent to historic buildings such as Max Gate.
‘I think the Duchy of Cornwall should think again and should consider the importance of Hardy to the surrounding land.
‘The development needs to be stopped so the land can be protected.
‘We have already got Poundbury which is Duchy of Cornwall land. That is a huge development which they are still building and now they want to do this so close to Max Gate.
‘Why do they have to be there of all locations?
‘The Thomas Hardy Society will be challenging this and raising the importance of the location.’
The Duchy of Cornwall was established in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne.
It is a major landowner with 130,000 acres of land and brings in £24m a year in profit.
After King Charles ascended the throne in 2023 Prince William took over ownership of the Duchy.
Herman Lea’s portrait of Thomas Hardy. The great novelist showed photographer Herman Lea around his beloved Dorset to show him the real life locations he wrote into his works
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) British poet, novelist and dramatist with his second wife, Florence
Pictured: The land that is set to be built on by the Duchy. There are concerns more generally the Duchy seems to be ‘taking over west Dorset’
Mr Chutter said: ‘It worries me that the Duchy of Cornwall seems to be taking over west Dorset.
‘Poundbury has been going on for years and this seems to be next. We are going to be inundated with buildings.
‘We are going to get crowded with buildings and the character of Dorchester will become unrecognisable.’
Neil Mathews, chairman of the board of trustees of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Dorset, said: ‘We recognise the need to build more houses but it has to be done respectfully and in the right manner.
‘Developers seem to be building large houses that certainly are not affordable for young people and first-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder.
‘We hope that the developers will be sympathetic towards Max Gate and the ancient henge in the area and not disrespect the historic land.
‘I would hope that the Prince of Wales would take an interest in the development and I hope that he would be sympathetic towards the history and heritage and make sure of the affordable nature of the new homes.
‘There are also issues with infrastructure. I know the nearest doctors surgery is full to capacity and the schools are at their limit.
‘The roads are already rammed.
‘There is always the danger that this could be a slippery slope and more and more greenfield land becomes built on.’
In its planning application the Duchy acknowledged the proximity of the development to Max Gate, which is run by the National Trust, but said it would not harm the visitor experience.
It said: ‘This change would not materially affect the experience of the house from the surrounding area, nor the experience within its grounds.
‘On this basis it is concluded that the proposed development would not result in any harm to the significance of the house.’
They said the scheme will provide ‘high-quality homes, including affordable housing, whilst complementing the unique historic identity of the area’.
Paul Hoffmann, of CG Fry, added: ‘I do not think that the proposed development would result in Max Gate suffering a loss of significance.’
Hardy lived at Max Gate from 1885, firstly with wife Emma, and then with his second wife Florence.
He dictated his final poem while lying on his deathbed at the property.