Park Road Allotments To Remain
Isleworth Society Delighted with the unexpected decision
This Thursday's (22 June) Hounslow Planning Committee has rejected proposals for the development of Park Road allotments and their relocation to Syon Park causing celebration among opponents of the scheme.
Christine Diwell commented on behalf of the Isleworth Society:
"To say there was overwhelming delight at the outcome of Hounslow’s Planning Meeting is a huge understatement!
"It was a tremendous, unexpected achievement. Isleworth residents led by The Isleworth Society persuaded Councillors to overturn an officer recommendation to grant permission to build 127 properties on allotment land cultivated for over 100 years, and provide a much interior facility within the Syon Estate. The latter would have desecrated an historic, Capability Brown landscape beside the Robert Adam designed Lion Gates.
"The odds were stacked against us. The applications had been some 3 years in the making. Residents had 7 days to consider the final reports; 10 minutes to put their case. Common sense and regard for the environment won the day for the time being. It would not be unexpected for the Northumberland Estate to appeal the decisions.
"For now the Isleworth Riverside’s Conservation Area’s historic, unique characteristics, have been safeguarded".
Northumberland Estates, which was the entity acting for the Duke of Northumberland. had made two linked applications, one for proposed development at Park Road Allotments (P/2016/0717) and the other for alternative site for allotments in Syon Park (P/2016/0716).
The first application would have resulting in the building of of eight blocks of three- and four-storey buildings to create 119 flats and eight houses. These would be owned and managed by Northumberland Estates to provide private rented sector (PRS) housing with the revenue going towards maintenance of Syon House.
Site of Park Road allotments (Google)
The proposals met with opposition from current allotment holders who said that the alternative site was not suitable.
View into the crescent
The replacement 37 allotments would have been in between the Lion Gate and the Duchess Gate path.
1,187 people signed the petition to save Park Road Allotments and the allotment holders have a Facebook page.
June 26, 2017