Princetown protest challenges Duchy of Cornwall over £1.5m rent for unused prison

HMP Dartmoor has stood empty since its closure in 2023, but taxpayers continue to pay more than £1.5 million a year in rent to the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns the prison site and much of Dartmoor. 

On Saturday, 20 September, campaigners from anti-monarchy group Republic held a demonstration at the prison and nearby National Park Visitor Centre to draw attention to the Duchy’s ownership of the site and the rent paid by taxpayers.

Republic, the campaigners behind the demonstration, said the aim was to highlight the Duchy of Cornwall’s financial control of land across Dartmoor and the prison site.

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The group said the protest aimed to draw attention to the Duchy of Cornwall’s financial control of Dartmoor, including the HMP Dartmoor site.

Protesters displayed a large banner reading ‘Not My King’ outside the National Park Visitor Centre before demonstrating at the prison site. 

Although HMP Dartmoor has been out of use since its 2023 closure, more than £1.5 million a year continues to be paid to the Duchy of Cornwall for the property.

The Republic campaign said the Duchy of Cornwall belongs to the public, not the royal family, and criticised the Duchy’s financial arrangements with HMP Dartmoor, which it says is currently empty. The Duchy of Cornwall was contacted for comment but did not respond.

In the 14th century, The Duchy of Cornwall was created to provide an income for the heir to the throne. 

Today, it covers more than 130,000 acres across 20 counties, including much of Dartmoor. 

In 2023, the Duchy generated over £24 million in profits for Prince William.

Some local residents have expressed concern that the Duchy’s land management limits farming and housing opportunities. Others say Duchy investment helps conserve Dartmoor and supports rural communities.