Sale of royal land could benefit rural communities

The Prince of Wales has revealed that profits from the sale of private land owned by the Royal Family are to be re-invested into causes that could support rural communities.

Up to 20 per cent of the estate owned by the Duchy of Cornwall is expected to be sold over the next 10 years.

Money made from the sale, which could be in the region of £500 million, will be used to support a wide range of social initiatives, such as the delivery of more affordable homes in rural areas.

Will Bax, Chief Executive of the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “The Duchy should exist to make a positive impact, particularly in the communities where we can make the biggest difference.”

As well as investing in more social housing, the Royal Family intends to use around £123 million from its land sale to help create more jobs in rural areas and to install thousands of solar panels to homes across south west England.

ACRE will watch this ambitious project with interest, and looks forward to seeing a positive impact on rural communities.