NG
S
POU
N
D
pioneers
TI
A
YEAR
U
TING PO
B
POUNDBURY’S
RA
25
E
es
when it com
to travel...
e
we make th
difference!
For a man who was adamant that Poundbury would not work, Simon Conibear has made
a remarkable career ensuring it does
K
nown for his tweed and gentlemanly manner,
Simon has led The Duchy of Cornwall’s ambitious
masterplan for Poundbury for the past 22 years.
This month he retired as Dorchester Estate
Director and looking back on this hugely ambitious
role, he says he feels very proud and privileged to have been part
of it.
“After my first experience of hearing the plans for Poundbury,
I thought that this vision couldn’t be achieved under any
circumstances," he says.
“I was working as a consultant and I found it inconceivable that
it could be done, I thought the cost would exceed the sales prices.
I was very wrong. The Prince of Wales wisely ignored my advice
and I soon found I was at the sharp end attempting to deliver his
vision."
Since taking over, Simon has weathered many storms, attended
thousands of planning meetings and broken many barriers - both
in local politics, planning and with the country’s perception of this
radical project by The Prince of Wales.
“The Prince had appointed Andrew Hamilton as director of the
project and Leon Krier as masterplanner. I needed a long induction
process to understand the different way of building a place rather
than a housing estate, streets rather than cul-de-sacs,” he says.
“I was becoming familiar with The Prince of Wales’ architecture
and placemaking. That’s what we are doing here – it’s placemaking
rather than housing estates.”
Joining the project three years in after his predecessor Victor
Jackson sadly passed away, Simon moved his family from Bath to
the Dorset countryside and said they haven’t looked back.
He says: “I’ve been steeped in Poundbury now for 22 years. We
have worked alongside such talent and witnessed this place grow
from the first 60 homes to what it is today. I’m proud to have played
a part in all of it.”
One of the legacies of the first two decades of Poundbury is the
16 WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK
workshop spaces that make up many of the 185 businesses based
here today.
During his time directing Poundbury he has witnessed the
growth of international players Dorset Cereals and House of
Dorchester chocolates as well as many independent businesses still
based here today.
“One of the things I’m proudest of is the workshops. We built a
modern development that has space for creative people who also
need a retail element.”
That success is something that Simon will be taking with him as
a consultant working with UK developers for Architekton, a role
in which he hopes he can impact with Poundbury’s learning curve
and put in place its successes.
He also plans to impart Poundbury’s experience for mixed use
buildings and architectural quality.
“It goes hand in hand. I want other developers to see that things
can be done differently. We have yet to see a scheme that has so
much character as Poundbury,” he explains.
Simon describes fondly the visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
last year to see for herself this community borne of The Prince of
Wales’ extraordinary vision.
“The visit was certainly the highpoint of my career. It was the
second time The Queen had been to Poundbury. The first time we
didn’t have very much to show her so I’m sure she must have been
surprised by how much it had grown.”
Simon admits he was very touched by The Prince of Wales’ speech
on the day when he told the crowds that he owed so much to the
‘devotion and ceaseless attention’ to the Duchy of Cornwall team.
“It was all very overwhelming for many of us who have devoted
lots of years and hard work to making Poundbury work,” he says.
Despite his retirement, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Simon.
Those of us used to seeing Simon cycle around on his bike will still
spot him in Poundbury for the next year working two days a week
as a consultant.
Every member of our team takes the
time to listen to your needs and then
can identify from many different
options which would be the best
experience for you, so that we can
ensure you enjoy and get the most
out of your leisure time.
We have the knowledge and ability to
tailor your dream holiday anywhere
in the world to suit you, with the
industry bonding and accreditation
to ensure that you have financial
security and peace of mind should
anything not go to plan - we are
always here to help you.
We are independent and represent
many different holiday and cruise
companies that are tried and tested
by us and we are proud to offer them
to you. Why not pop in to see your
local travel specialists at Dorchester
Travel and try our service for
yourself. If you are stuck for time
we can offer you the same dedicated
service and attention to detail over
the telephone or by email. We can
also offer appointments to suit you.
Dorchester Travel
33 South Street
Dorchester DT1 1DD
)01305 263748
[email protected]
travelwithfredolsen.co.uk
Fred. Olsen Travel also has branches
in Westbourne, Beales of Bournemouth
& Lymington
WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK 17