A lovely Map Jim. Syon Hill stretches over the Northumberland Estate, and a few years ago I thought about starting a campaign to attach it to our addresses. Well when people say Osterley, you clearly picture the area where they live, as with Old Isleworth.The Post office person, who I spoke to at that time, just said all we had to do was write to them, and then start using it. If enough people did, it would then bed down as the address of this area.Being on the Hill has been lost in time with all the development. From our front window we can see the downs in the distance, and my neighbour said they have a view over to the Star & Garter on a clear day, with no extensions in the way of the view.From talking to people who lived here when they were first built, I understand the following.Allen, the builder, wanted to keep the gaps between the houses so that people could enjoy the view. He set each house with its own side entrance with a gate and a gap so each house was spaced out from the next door one. They didn't want garages in those days so only a couple of the houses had those. Because of the side piece of land they were slightly more expensive and he couldn't sell them. Houses nearby were being built which didn't have the extra land, and were slightly cheaper, so people went for those. Because of this, and because of sticking to his principles, he couldn't sell the houses and suffered financial difficulties. Many of them were rented out for a long time, instead of being sold. And because of the financial difficulties, he couldn't go on to develop the 2 tennis courts he had planned at the back of come of the groups of housesThe old maps drawn after the estate was built, clearly show as many of the houses as possible were paired up with bays looking out over the gaps of the houses opposite, giving a lovely view across the back garden trees and into the distance. This also allowed everyone privacy, so you weren’t peering directly into the windows opposite.The way the estate is laid out too, shows that this was important to him, as he could have squeezed far more housing onto the side of the Hill, if he didn’t want to exploit the views. I was told that he also wanted people to be able to stand in their front bay and look to both ends of the street.The deeds show a number of covenants which also support a quiet and unobtrusive way of life laid down for the area, including a 4 inch no build boundary – so how the semis are now being built into terraces is a complete mystery to most people. I just passed one on the Harwood Road/Roxborough Ave junction (beside the alley) where they are starting to join a semi onto a detached house! Fancy buying and living in a detached house and because the neighbour has been giving planning permission you then find that you are the end of a terrace!Makes no sense at all.
Sarah Felstead ● 7379d