Peasants’ revolt: Duke of Northumberland appeals in fight over 80 new homes

The plans involve 80 new homes being built on a  three-acre site that has been rented by local gardeners for more than a century
Duke of Northumberland
Bruce Adams

The Duke of Northumberland has launched an appeal over his foiled plans to build homes on allotments at his Syon Park estate in south-west London.

The 65-year-old peer’s proposal was rejected by Hounslow council last October after what was dubbed a “peasants’ revolt” campaign by allotment holders. Now the row is set to be reignited by the 12th Duke’s decision to challenge the decision through an appeal with the planning inspectorate.

The plans involve 80 new homes — 40 per cent of them classified as affordable — being built on a  three-acre site that has been rented by local gardeners for more than a century.

The homes would take up around two thirds of the site but 38 new allotment plots with sheds and access to running water would be created on the rest of it.

Profits from the sale of homes would be used to fund repairs to Grade 1 -listed Syon House where interiors have been used for scenes in the Netflix Georgian drama Bridgerton. Colin Barnes, director of Northumberland Estates, which manages Syon Park — the London home of the Percy dynasty — said:  “The scheme can provide a win-win for the local area by creating much-needed homes for key health workers and local people and at the same time secure and preserve green space for allotment holders to enjoy for generations to come.”

More than 30 nurses, doctors and other NHS workers at the nearby West Middlesex hospital will have access to new homes.

The proposals were rejected on a vote overturning a recommendation for approval by council officers.

The planning committee accepted arguments that the scheme would lead to an unacceptable loss of open space. It was the second attempt by the Duke to win consent for a development scheme at the allotment site. An earlier version was turned down in 2018.

Salman Shaheen, Labour councilor for Isleworth and one of the campaigners against the scheme, said: “We will fight to stop him and find a more productive way to move forward.”

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