THE Duchy of Cornwall is planning to spend several million pounds putting life back into a spectacular valley it owns at Harewood End.

But the venture, which could take 10 years to complete, will have to pay its way.

Local Duchy agent David Curtis said the scheme involved restoring existing buildings which were now tumbling down, or were in a perilous state, to a very high standard.

The former cottages and farm buildings on the 900-acre Harewood Estate would then be rented out as homes, or workplaces.

Work was expected to start on the first phase this year and some could be available in 2004.

But Mr Curtis said nothing was cut and dried because parts of the scheme were subject to planning permission.

Plans are expected to be submitted to Herefordshire Council within the next two months.

At a meeting of local residents this week, Mr Curtis said the Duchy, whose patron is Prince Charles, was proposing to restore buildings already there, but mostly unused for 20 or 30 years, and bring homes and jobs back into a 'ghost' valley.

But it would cost a great deal of money, be carried out in several stages and at the end of the day would have to be financially viable.

Mr Curtis explained that the Duchy of Cornwall had to spend wisely and ensure that any money spent on the estate increased its value.

The success of the scheme would largely depend on the demand, particularly for workshops in Herefordshire, admitting this could be 'iffy'.

Such space would be snapped up in places like Bath with rents much higher.

But the Duchy was inter-linked with other schemes in Herefordshire, including Project Carrot, was talking to colleges over young craftspeople wanting workplaces and looking at the increasing demand by those in high-tech ventures to move out of town.

"There is good practical evidence there is a need in Herefordshire,'' said Mr Curtis.

Asked if any preference would be given to people in the county, he said he would be delighted to end up with a waiting list and hoped local people with an interest would get in touch as soon as possible.

Mr Curtis said the Duchy was getting help from DEFRA which had agreed to pay for a full landscape survey of the estate and give grant aid, under a stewardship scheme towards hedge and tree planting.

It was also assisting in the same way in the restoration of farm buildings.

Mr Curtis assured local people that existing rights of way, footpaths and bridle ways would be protected.

Craig Hamilton, architect in charge of the scheme, said the restored parkland would be the visual backbone of the estate.

Landscape consultants with experience of national and Royal parks had been appointed to prepare plans by August.

The chapel and graveyard, part of the former mansion will be restored but the actual site for a replacement main residence would be decided after archaeological surveys of the area.

Mr Curtis told the meeting that wherever possible local materials would be used in restoration work, including oak and ash from Duchy woodlands, including Aconbury.

And he said that a 'tremendous shortage' of builders could be a major factor in the time scale.

l The meeting heard there were no detailed plans on the drawing board for the mansion and it could be the year 2006 before this happened.

Architect Craig Hamilton forecasts a completion by the years 2010 or 11 when the house, a refurbished chapel, stables, Grange Farm and new parkland with 30 acres could be let as a single unit.

Mr Hamilton said he believed Herefordshire had lost around 30 major parks and houses in the last 100 years.

The Duchy of Cornwall would be delighted to restore the parkland and house at Harewood Park as it was considered an important part of local heritage.

Local residents left the meeting with mixed views over the news Prince William was not to become a neighbour.

Not all were convinced. "They put it well but I am sure it will happen. This is what all this regeneration scheme is leading up to,'' said one.