The Prince of Wales has launched a new regeneration fund to support Princetown, an isolated Dartmoor community. The Princetown Community Fund will make at least £250,000 available for locally led social, economic, and environmental projects.
Grants ranging from £500 to £40,000 will be distributed through Devon Communities Together, which will also offer support to groups applying for funding.
This initiative follows Prince William's decision to stop personally benefiting from the £1.5m annual rent generated by Dartmoor Prison. The funding has now been redirected to the local community.
Dartmoor Prison, a category C facility, has been empty since July 2024 after high levels of radon were discovered in prisoners' accommodation. Prison bosses later faced formal censure proceedings due to the exposure of inmates and staff to dangerous levels of the naturally occurring radioactive gas.
Prince William's private secretary, Ian Patrick, previously stated that the Prince felt strongly that the income from the prison should remain in the community to help local people shape the future of the town, given the uncertainty created by its closure.