Understanding Mancos in Poundbury: Your Essential Guide
- jerrycooke87
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
If you live or work in Poundbury, you've probably heard of the Mancos, but what exactly do they do and why do they matter to you? Here's everything you need to know about these essential community organisations.
What Are the Mancos and What Do They Do?
The Poundbury Mancos (Management Companies) are separate limited companies that manage, maintain, and will eventually own significant parts of the common areas of Poundbury on behalf of property owners and long-term tenants. Currently, there are three established companies, with a fourth in development:
Poundbury (MANCO 4) Limited – Currently being established to manage the final Northwest Quadrant
They maintain all the communal, unadopted facilities at Poundbury, including parking courtyards, landscaped areas, trees and services. They also provide and maintain lighting, the communal television and radio system, and pay any associated costs for communal areas. More specifically, their responsibilities include surface water drainage of the areas they manage, their associated soakaways, manholes, gullies, television signal, lighting columns, bollards, pocket planting, surface management, routine maintenance including litter picking, trees, tree pits and tree grilles.
How Are They Run?
Each Manco is managed by a team of volunteer directors—usually residents in the respective areas of Poundbury—supported by a representative from the Duchy of Cornwall. Each property owner and long-term leaseholder receives a share in their respective Manco, with some larger properties acquiring more than one share, and each shareholder pays an annual estate rent charge set by their respective Manco.
Your MANCO Contact Details
Managing Agents: Symonds & Sampson LLP serve as the appointed managing agents for the three established Mancos. They have a dedicated team on Poundbury who assist with the day-to-day management of the Mancos' affairs, with Ryan Holmes acting as lead property manager, supported by both Emma Milne and Lee Edgson. Symonds & Sampson also have a direct telephone line and email address for the exclusive use of Poundbury Manco shareholders:
Phone: 01305 756968
Email: mancos@symondsandsampson.co.uk (Please note: The CAofP flyer you may have received contains a typo - this is the correct email address)
How MANCOs Work With Dorset Council and The Duchy
Mancos work alongside the Duchy of Cornwall and local stakeholders from the Dorset Council, who adopt and maintain roads, footways and associated infrastructure like street lighting. The Dorchester Town Council have taken the responsibility for some green open spaces, such as the Great Field. Everything else — the courtyards, communal areas, and shared facilities that give Poundbury its distinctive character — usually fall under Manco responsibility. The Duchy of Cornwall maintains a "watching brief" on standards through board membership on each Manco, ensuring the development stays true to King Charles's original vision.
If you need to report a maintenance, safety or other issue to your Manco, you can contact them through their website or via their appointed managing agents. As a general guide: if it's in your courtyard or communal area, it's usually a Manco concern; if it's in the adopted streets, contact Dorset Council. If in doubt, contact mancos@symondsandsampson.co.uk and Symonds & Sampson's Manco management team will provide you with the appropriate guidance.
For further details, visit the official Manco website at www.poundburymanco.co.uk
Other questions? Try our Frequently Asked Questions webpage