The fight begins!
A Planning Inquiry is being held into the fate of allotments earmarked for development. The might of the estate of The Duke of Northumberland is being challenged by local amenity groups, allotment holders, residents and the local authority. “It’s rather a David v Goliath situation” says Susan Casey, Chair of The Isleworth Society. “We are putting every effort into preventing a plan to bulldoze Park Road Allotment Gardens and concrete it over with privately rented flats and a few houses. The site is land that is the last vestige to survive in what traditionally was a market garden area. For centuries it has been enjoyed as a tranquil, greenfield open space and wildlife habitat”.The 9th Duke of Northumberland leased the land in 1917 to the Local Authority for allotments. It was at a time when the Government was urging landowners to provide growing spaces to give sustenance to returning First World War veterans following a disastrous harvest the year before leading to fears of starvation. The current, 12th Duke, has revoked the lease to take back the land.This has come about in a current environment where the need for allotment sites is increasing given the propensity to build flats bereft of gardens. The Duke’s Northumberland Estate is appealing against the Council’s decision to turn down the application to build on the site. None of the housing envisaged met the definition of “affordable”. A further plan is also being appealed on refusal to permit allotments within the nearby Grade l listed Syon Park designed in the late 18thC by the renowned landscape architect Capability Brown. If allowed the location earmarked beside the Robert Adam designed Lion Gates would destroy the intended pastoral openness and vistas both within and from outside the parkland. Prospective plot holders consider it unsuitable given severe restrictions which would be imposed, condition of the soil, and are unimpressed by the Syon Estate’s management of the current site.The Planning Inquiry to determine the outcome commences Tuesday 9th October at Brentford Free Church, Boston Manor Road. It is likely to run for eight days. The Isleworth Society, a small charity whose aims include preserving the unique character of the area, is lending full support to getting the refusal decisions upheld. It is proving an expensive exercise but they are grateful to local people for contributing donations however small, which so far have mounted up to cover some costs.The Inquiry is open to the public to come along, hear the proceedings and if wished “have their say”. Some already intend to do this in an effort to save allotments which provide wide habitat, health and mental health benefits to the community and a tranquil outlook for the Charlotte House Nursing home providing end of life care. The aim also is to prevent substantive harm to the setting of the internationally recognised Syon House.Notes:i. Planning Applications: London Borough of Hounslow: 00707/E/P110 and 00707/E/P11ii. Inspectorate Appeal References: APP/F5540/W/17/3192092 & APP/F5540/W/17/319208iii. To build at Park Road Allotment Gardens, on designated Local Open Land, 8 blocks of 3-4 storey buildings to create 119 flats and 8 houses with car parking at basement and street level, and Form new allotment area with associated infrastructure within Grade 1 listed Syon Estate next to Grade l Listed Lion Gates on designated Metropolitan Open landiv. The Allotment site has Asset of Community Value status for which The Isleworth Society applied in October 2015. 30th December 2016 Judge Jacqueline Findlay dismissed the Northumberland Estate’s Appeal against this. The decision indicates the allotment land is a valuable asset which positively contributes to the local area and beyond and is valued by the community. v. The Isleworth Society website : www.isleworthsociety.btck.co.ukContacts: Susan Casey, Chair, The Isleworth Society 07818436844 Christine Diwell, Secretary The Isleworth Society 020 8744 0663
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