A second attempt by the Duke of Northumberland’s development company to build homes on the grounds of allotments in Hounslow, west London, has attracted hundreds of objections from the local community.
Northumberland Estates has lodged plans for 80 homes across seven blocks of three and four storeys on its 3.2-acre site on Park Road in Isleworth. The scheme would see the removal of allotments used by local residents who have been on the site for more than a century, with smaller alternative plots offered.
An earlier proposal for eight buildings and 119 flats was recommended for approval by Hounslow Council but rejected by the planning committee in 2017 over loss of open space, inappropriate size and scale. The estate has argued that the money raised from the development is necessary for restoration work at the Duke’s Syon House.
In an objection letter for the revised plans, Salman Shaheen, chair of the Isleworth & Brentford Area Forum and councillor for Isleworth, along with councillors Sue Sampson and Daanish Saeed, said they had opposed the original proposal but had hoped the revised scheme “would be put forward with the support of allotment holders following constructive consultation”.
“Having spoken regularly with allotment-holders throughout the process of engagement, as well as residents in the wider community, it is clear to us that the consultation was not constructive, community concerns were not allayed and the plans put forward – while an improvement on the previous proposals – have not carried the support of allotment-holders or the community and they fall short on multiple grounds,” they added.
Shaheen told EG that he is aware of some 300 objections being registered over the scheme.
Colin Barnes, director at Northumberland Estates, said the application “has been much revised to take into account the views expressed by the local community”.
“It includes a much larger area of green space while also seeking to address the well-recognised shortage of affordable housing for local people in the area,” Barnes said. “In addition, plans are moving forwards to offer one block for use by NHS staff from the adjacent West Middlesex hospital and this has been extremely well received.
“Meanwhile, all of the existing allotment holders have been offered new plots and there will be more available to newcomers in a range of sizes to suit all needs. The facilities will be upgraded to include more car parking and great facilities such as communal composting and more.”
The plans are likely to be debated by committee in the summer.
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