A PALATIAL playground that is 'fit for a king' is being built in Poundbury.

The super-park sprawled across the Great Field has 15ft high castellated towers, suspended bridges and walkways, and an enormous medieval buttercross play house.

As well tubular slides, Queen swings, nest swings, a climbing wall, horizontal bars and balancing beams, the grand park will also have parkour facilities.

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The park, that opens in the spring, covers 2,050 square metres and has been designed to blend in with the pristine regal architecture which surrounds it.

Timber structures inspired by iconic local buildings include the Whistling Witch and Brownsword Hall have already been erected.

Hundreds of local residents have expressed their support for the palatial playground that would be suitable for Prince Charles' three grandchildren including heir to the throne, Prince George.

Around 300 people wrote to the local planning authority to back the construction of the facility with only 20 objecting.

Gary Spracklen, head teacher of the nearby Prince of Wales primary and pre-school, added: "It looks absolutely awesome and our children are so excited.

"It really is (fit for a prince). I can't think of a better investment for our young people. The parkour facilities will also be attractive to older children.

"Poundbury points the way for other future housing developments and this is just another example of that.

"It is very well-timed considering the isolation children have experienced throughout the pandemic. Opportunities for them to socialise have never been more important than they are now."

One local parent commented: "I fully support this application for the children of Poundbury and surrounding areas to have somewhere safe and fun to play. My own children will love this when it opens.

"As a resident of Poundbury, I can honestly say that it comes across as a rather soulless and sanitised place with no children playing.

"The ageing population really shows and this play area would inject some much needed life into the area.

"What could be more aesthetically pleasing than children playing, enjoying themselves and the sound of childhood laughter?"

James Lytton-Trevers said he 'fully supported the amazing park.'

He said: "There are so many children who love to have an amazing park right near their school.

"With the hard times everyone has been through over the past few years, having such an amazing location for children now and in the future would be an absolute blessing."

Others were less flattering, however. One resident on Duke's Parade, which overlooks the park, said: "The equipment and its position will be a magnet for those who become disruptive, leading to abuse of the equipment, abuse of more vulnerable young adults through easy access to trafficking and using drugs."

The Duchy of Cornwall first applied for planning permission for the playground in October 2020.

A spokesman for the Duchy said: "A well attended public consultation exercise with the local community was undertaken in November 2017. The Duchy of Cornwall received nearly 400 responses from residents, businesses, community groups and local schools.

"Respondents welcomed the establishment of significant play equipment in keeping with the surrounding area which included natural elements such as boulders for climbing and parkour equipment.

"The design has been led by the principles of the Poundbury development - natural materials and bespoke architectural designs inspired by the local vernacular, brought together to produce an inclusive local amenity of the highest quality.

"Significant care has been taken to identify suitable equipment for a wide range of users to encourage participation by varying ages.

"The plan includes a 1.2 metre hedge surrounding the play area, together with the planting of some 54 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 5,980 grasses."

Poundbury, near Dorchester, is Prince Charles' vision of a utopian idyll where a private and affordable housing mix with boutique shops, places of work and services like the local school and medical centre are within walking distance.

Building work began in 1992 and it is due for completion in 2025 by when it will have 2,500 homes and a population of 6,000.