Inquiry to Be Held into Park Road Allotments Proposal
Planning Inspectorate to examine scheme to build flats on site
The Park Road Allotments. Picture: Val Snewin
April 7, 2023
The Planning Inspectorate has announced it intends to hold a full public inquiry on plans (P/2020/4292) by Northumberland Estates to build flats on the Park Road Allotments.
The Estates made an appeal to the Inspectorate against the decision by a Hounslow Council Planning Committee in October 2021 to refuse permission for a scheme to build 80 flats in the site with a significant reduction in the land left to the allotments.
The council published its Statement of Case and presented it to the Inspectorate last April detailing the rationale for not granting permission. The Inspectorate had the option to determine the case by means of Written Representation as requested by the Estate but, by authorising the inquiry, this means that evidence will be given in an open hearing by both parties.
A previous application by the Estate was subject to an inquiry with the Inspectorate upholding the council’s decision to decline a previous application which would have seen the whole allotment site built over with plots relocated nearby.
Local MP Ruth Cadbury said on social media that the new of the inquiry was great to hear and she credited the pressure exerted on the issue by members of the community and local councillors for the decision.
Cllr. Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Parking, Parks & Leisure on Hounslow Council, thanked the Brentford and Isleworth MP for her support and said, “All arguments will now be fully scrutinised as we fight to save these three beautiful acres.”
No details are yet available as to the dates of the Inquiry.
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