THE latest plans for Poundbury’s showpiece square are now being considered by West Dorset Dist-rict Council.

The Duchy of Cornwall has submitted plans for three new buildings at Queen Mother Square as well as the plinth where a statue will be installed.

Before submitting the application a team from the Duchy had addressed members of Dorchester Town Council’s planning and environment committee to outline the plans and get feedback from councillors.

Development director Andrew Hamilton told members that the application coincided with celebrations to mark Poundbury’s 20th anniversary with just over half the scheme completed.

He said the submissions going in this week concerned the north and east side of Queen Mother Square, which is designed to form the focal point of the completed development.

Mr Hamilton said applications will be submitted for three buildings as well as a plinth in the square upon which a statue of the Queen Mother will be installed.

He added that one building would feature a pub on the ground floor and first floor with residential accommodation above while the other buildings would be largely commercial premises on the ground floor with residential on the upper floors.

A further application seeks permission to convert the upper floor of Kings Point House on the west side of the square above the Waitrose store from office space to residential.

Mr Hamilton said the square formed the axis of Peverell Avenue East and Peverell Avenue West and the area to the north east had already received planning consent for development.

Development manager Simon Conibear said: “We want this to be a focal sector.”

Mr Conibear added that the Duchy would be fulfilling a long-term promise by naming some of the streets to the north of the square in honour of the Dorset Regiment, while the buildings around the square would be named after the Queen Mother’s race horses.

Councillors declared their satisfaction with the plans and had no specific questions concerning the buildings in the application.

Much of the feedback related to concerns about the current road layout of the square, which was designed to be a shared use space for motorists and pedestrians.

Councillor Tim Harries said: “It’s a potential death trap, nobody had got any idea about how to use that bit of road.”

There was, however, support from some councillors for the layout.

Coun Robin Potter said: “I’m in favour of shared space.”

The latest plans can now be viewed online at dorsetforyou.com and comments must be submitted before June 28.