Locals have been sharing their experience of living in a strict West Country suburb that was founded by King Charles. Situated on the cusp of Newquay is the royal estate of Nansledan where residents are asked to sign a 'covenant' - where causing 'annoyance' is outlawed, 'arguing' is banned, and repainting your front door how you like is strictly prohibited.
The suburb was the passion project of King Charles who commissioned it back when he was the Prince of Wales. It was intended to be the sequel to Poundbury, the King's ideal town in Dorset. Each inhabitant has to sign a strict list of 'community stakeholders covenants' and it means there are no bins on the street, or Airbnbs on the area, reports Cornwall Live.
Some residents admit that despite the covenant the rules aren't strictly enforced but others say embattled residents hold each other to account. This involves stealing prohibited items, notifying authorities, and using social media to public shame one another.
READ MORE: Bristol property: Inside the stunning harbourside home right on the water's edge
Ross Cervi, 40, a plant operator, has lived in Nansledan for the past five years with his partner and their 18-month-old son, and like every other resident, had to sign the strict agreement before moving in.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "There is a covenant that you have to sign with the Duchy Estate. If you want to change the colour of your house you can only choose from a certain palette. We have a designated parking space and you have to park there and not on the streets.
"Some people think the parking is a bit inconsiderate, for me, it's not really a problem. We don't find it an issue. If you have a shed it has to be from sustainable materials and has to sit below the fence line. They want to keep the silhouette of everything kind of tidy.
"If you want to build an extension then plans have to be submitted, and they have to be approved by the Duchy. We haven't done any of that but we don't find it oppressive - all of it is common decency."
Residents of Nansledan said that although there are a strict set of rules, they aren't enforced officially. Instead, "curtain twitchers and keyboard warriors" shame each other in private Facebook groups.
Stay up to date with the latest on this story and more by signing up to our daily newsletter, delivering our top stories straight to your inbox
In one such group, seen by The Mirror, one resident wrote: "I am absolutely sick to death of this estate. Someone has taken all the ornaments outside of my house again. Second time this has happened. Can't keep nothing nice anymore. Let me catch you that's all I'm saying."
And another read: "Following our post yesterday of having our ornaments stolen, I was just checking had anyone seen any dumped anywhere? As if kids I thought might throw them? If anyone spots them anywhere, they're all bee ornaments."
Despite the strict rules, Ross said he and his family are happy in Nansledan. He said: "We love it, it's ideal for my son. He's 18 months old and we feel like there's plenty for him to do. There's a couple of parks and a good sense of community."
Nansledan is a maze of brightly coloured houses and immaculate footpaths, with roads wide enough for two cars to pass easily and parking aplenty - a rarity in Cornwall. The street names are hard to pronounce, as is the name of the estate itself (Nans-ledd-in), and the whole area feels as if it was designed down to the smallest detail.
The shops, cafes, and local businesses are bunched together and all within walking distance from even the most distant house, thanks to a layout design that is praised by residents and business owners alike. Charlie Evans, 28, a gym owner, has lived in the estate for three years - and is glad that her house is painted white with a blue door, which is less garish and easier to maintain than some.
She said: "It's a funny place, because lots of people live here but you never see anyone on the streets. I guess everyone is doing their own thing. I've personally not had any issues here, I also don't think they're that strict about the rules. One is that you have to keep your bin inside your property but lots of people don't.
"I think if you wanted to paint your house orange someone might come knocking on your door. You move here knowing there's rules so if you're not happy then you just wouldn't move here. Our house is white with a blue door so it's quite plain so we've got it easy.
"Personally I wouldn't have bought a house that's a colour I don't like." She added: "I love it here, I like that most of the houses are lived in, we used to live near Fistral and it's all holiday homes so it's empty for most of the year."
Other residents said houses had to be lived in so properties couldn't be snapped up to be turned into lucrative holiday lets - although no sign of this rule can be found in the Nansledan Design and Community Code brochure, which is given to every resident. Gardener Eve Brooks-Pendlington, 43, who lives with her husband, James, moved down from Brighton and is glad there are no holiday homes.
She said: "In Brighton, any part of our street could become an Airbnb, but here that's not the case - there's a rule about that. There are a lot of rules, but it's lovely here - we feel really lucky."
Both Eve and James praised the rules of Nansledan, saying they helped keep the community alive. Neither had witnessed any online shaming either. James added: "It's no different than anywhere else I've lived, in Brighton I found arguments about parking and dog s**t on Facebook, and it's the same sort of vibe here.
"Most people are really friendly and smile. We love living here, I don't see the rules as a bad thing. If you want to do an extension then you have to get approval, and it has to be in-keeping with the area - but that's how it should be."
The estate is still a work in progress and some roads, lined with colourful houses, simply end when the tarmac runs out behind a metal fence - after which construction work continues as far as the eye can see. Residents have had to put up with the ongoing work, but local café and yoga studio owner Jimmy Blick insists it's worth it.
Jimmy, 39, who owns Shiva, said: "When we moved in there weren't any houses to the left and the roads hadn't been finished. When they were building everything would get dusty, it's not been easy.
"But I love it, I think it's great - it's not everyone's cup of tea. It's very new, some call it the new Newquay. Someone came in and referred to themselves as from the old Newquay, I think it's because it lacks a bit of grime here - everything works.
"The covenant does affect our business but also the Duchy is very understanding and wants you to succeed. We needed approval to get an awning and install some outside heaters, but we explained it was good for business and good for the community and they approved it.
"This is a cafe and people come in and tell me what's going on here, but I think it's the same as everywhere else. Some people come and say it's like a toy town, but is that a bad thing? I like that there's a pink house next to a tiled house next to a small house next to a big one, it's cool."
Some of the rules set out by The Duchy include:
- "Not to cause any annoyance, inconvenience, injury, offence or nuisance to the owners, the occupiers, the company or any other member of the general public.
- "Not to make any unnecessary or excessive noise including by arguing or slamming of doors.
- Not to "Create any noise, smells or other sources of annoyance to neighbours".
Properties available on the estate range from £288,000.
