Forum Topic

Duke of Northumberland evicting people from allotments

I see from todays Evening Standard that the Duke of Northumberland has announced he is giving the allotment holders 12 months to move out !!!! What ever he proposes should be voted down by Hounslow Council (if it is brave enough) what a greedy man he is.down to his last millions-don't make me cry. The greed of the upper classes never fails to discuss me.

Richard Buchanan ● 2333d41 Comments

I wonder if there are any grants available for me to do my house up?

Keith Iddon ● 2325d

Yes this is the argument that the Duke has made everytime he's applied for things - he also benefited from S106 planning gain money for some of the 'urgent' work he wanted to do previously, and which he has only just got around to, some years after he got the dosh. Where the money he has made from all these things he has variously sold, or allowed (filming, events in Syon House, different weekend events throughout the year, the garden centre, the hotel etc.) we have no idea. Originally the appeal could have been an 'enabling' ploy - the application has to be allowed to enable to money from the housing development to be used to keep Syon House safe, but that's pretty much the reason that has been used every time with none of this important work apparently carried out, that idea was not in the end pursued. The question you have to ask I suppose is, when is an 'enabling' development' not an 'enabling development' but just greed?

Vanessa Smith ● 2325d

The Planning Inspector's comments on the alternative provision of allotments site in Syon Park :31. In particular, in relation to the proposed facilities at appeal site B the existing allotment holders have set out a number of drawbacks. Whereas existing plot holders are allowed to install their own garden sheds and other structures such as polytunnels, sheds on the proposed allotments are to be shared between two allotment plots and other structures are likely to be restricted due to the site’s location within Syon Park. These sheds would also be fairly small and grouped around the retained clumps of trees on the site such that some of the plots would be a considerable distance away from them. There would be one galvanised dip tank per 6-8 plots but no water taps comparable to those on the existing site. I also note that a sizeable minority of plots would be sited at least partially under the canopies or in the root protection areas of the existing retained trees, which would affect their suitability as allotments.32. I agree with allotment holders that these drawbacks would, along with the virgin nature of the soil in this location compared to the long-tilled soil on the existing allotments, mean that the replacement allotments were not as good as the existing ones in Park Road. There would be advantages in the form of a dedicated turning and unloading area at the front of the site for vehicles and a toilet would also be provided, both of which are lacking at the existing site.33. But on balance I consider the drawbacks of the new site to outweigh the advantages. I especially consider that expecting two plots to share a small garden shed, which may be located some distance away from their respective plots, to be practically unrealistic. I consider that the restriction on structures such as polytunnels and greenhouses would discourage the long-term take-up of the allotments. I note that the 30 December 2016 judgement of the First Tribunal which upheld the designation of the current allotment site as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) also concluded that this alternative allotment site was inferior to the existing one.

Tim Henderson ● 2326d

What is now the Hilton Hotel was supposed to resolve the financial struggles of the Northumberland family which prevented them from restoring Syon House. The family sold their painting The Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael to the National Gallery (ie the British public) for nearly £35 million some 15 years ago.More recently they sold approximately £15 million of art works because a Victorian structure on their lands collapsed in severe flooding causing £12 million damage. As we can see from Syon House, ongoing maintenance is not a Northumberland family strength. And how about the lottery (public) money for the Alnwick gardens?  These are merely incidents I can recollect from contemporary news items!So the serfs of Isleworth must sacrifice their allotments now to swell the coffers of this impoverished family further? Yes. Time for Hounslow to stand up for its gardeners!

Hazel Dakers ● 2326d

I've just seen this exchange of views.  How sad to see a Ms. Philippa Auton describe fellow residents as a "small band of self-identitying Peasants" (I assume that should be "self-identifying").  Having been at planning meetings where the Duke of Northumberland's representatives tried to destroy these historic allotments, and hearing the well reasoned arguments from the allotment holders for not doing so, I do hope that the Council uses whatever powers it might possess to stop this eviction and prevent any re-development on the site.  Oh, by the way, on the  19th of March 2019 the poor Lord's estimated wealth stood at £315 million!  How poor is that?

Pete Harding ● 2326d

To anyone facing eviction and wishing to put down new roots - so to speak - I'm looking to share my allotment in Chiswick. Still plenty of time for planting up.

Kitty Tessler ● 2326d

The family Trust own half of Northumberland and most of it is up for sale according to their website. This kind of thing is what creates all the problems in the world today. Greedy no gooders!

Mark Sherred ● 2326d

You asked :"I wonder how much money the Duke needs?"According to the Planning Inspector's report : "the repair and refurbishment works to the exterior and interior of Syon House and to the Lion Gate.... require the expenditure of approximately £13 million ."" The appellant claims that the Council has not identified any other source of funding and that the proposals are the only way in which the necessary repair works to the House can be realistically funded.25. However, I have only been presented with limited financial information relating to this project and the Syon Estate’s accounts and have no understanding of the appellant’s or the Duke’s wider financial interests. The appellant is a major landowner (not just in this area) and it is not for the Council to demonstrate that funds could be generated from alternative areas of its business interests sufficient to finance the necessary repairs, even if it had the wherewithal to do so. On the contrary, the onus is on appellant to demonstrate that there is no way to fund the necessary repairs other than by implementing the proposals because of the harm to the Registered Park and the Lion Gate’s setting, and I am not satisfied that it has done so. So whilst I agree that this harm must be balanced against the public benefits of the repair and restoration of the two Grade I LBs in the round, I am not convinced that alternative sources of funding do not or could not exist.26. In other words, I am unconvinced that it is necessary to harm the Park and the setting of the Lion Gate in order to achieve the benefit of repairing and restoring Syon House. "

Tim Henderson ● 2327d

I am surprised that as you are so engaged that you didn't attend any of the the public inquiry to make your views known, many local people did turn up day after day and quite a few spoke as well. The estate was very well represented by an experienced Q.C. so you could have offered your services to speak for them.Anyway what you support is irrelevant now as the planning inspector threw the appeal out.

Vanessa Smith ● 2328d

The answer to that is no she is not - it was what you might call a very awkward situation.

Vanessa Smith ● 2329d

Out of curiosity is Lady Caroline still President of the Isleworth Society or did she resign as surely she had/has a major conflict of interest?

Paul Fisher ● 2329d

The small band of self-identitying Peasants object to any type of development at Park road allotment site. I support the proposed new site as the location has a wealth of facilities at hand, easy access by public transport and would attract people who are currently disadvantaged as Park road allotment site is secluded and not suitable for wheelchair users.

Philippa Auton ● 2329d

Fair do's to a point, Phillipa but I would imagine that the vast number of allotment sites up and down the country have few or no facilities for the disabled.I don't suppose you support closing all of those? The Duke might consider putting those facilities there on the present site, so as not to further disrupt local life, but I won't hold my breath as there is no financial return on that. This whole thing smacks of what my old Dad would have called 'Crumbs from the rich man's table'.These allotment holders and indeed most of us have had to work for what little we have and have not inherited much that had not been worked hard for by our parents and grandparents.I wonder how long ago since the Duke's family did any graft.

Keith Iddon ● 2329d

I agree with you Andy. It’ll be a sad loss if the opportunity offered by the Duke to transfer the allotment site can no longer go ahead due to the self-interests of a small elite group of campaigners. The proposed new site would  offer safe guarding allotment users and make it more inclusive.

Philippa Auton ● 2329d

VanessaYou wrote "The allotment holders have never once mentioned that they feel vulnerable"This may be because there is a selection process at work whereby potentially vulnerable people do not take on these allotments, leaving the allotment holder population consisting of those who do not feel vulnerable. To reach a valid conclusion on this, one would have to sample the whole population of potential allotment holders in the area.

Andy Riley ● 2329d

The low uptake up of allotments holders says otherwise. I’d mentioned head of transport Not traffic. Blame the EU & the sheep that support following their bad ideas.

Philippa Auton ● 2330d

It is true that Hounslow totally ignored the consultation results over Church St. What is not so is the role of the Head of Traffic whose name Philippa got wrong. The Head of Traffic did make a point of telling councillors at the IBAF meeting that the consultation overwhelmingly was against closure, they still voted to do it in spite of that advice.Councillors make policies, officers advise and if approved carry them out.Closing streets to traffic and thus people is always going to attract the more undesirable element, so be careful what you wish for. The nonsense about the allotments is just that - nonsense. The allotment holders have never once mentioned that they feel vulnerable and the site offered was not comparable or in anyway suitable, a point made by the allotment people and the planning inspector.

Vanessa Smith ● 2330d

Keith I’d led a campaign to have Chirch Street reopened. I agree the One Party State of Hounslow had ignored the wishes and interests of local people and closed it anyway. I’d researched as to why the road was closed & discovered it was agreed by Head of Hounslow transport Mark Field to follow an ICLEI directive (an EU quango) to turn it into a “Healthy Street’”. Since the closure there has been an increase in crime. The Park Road allotments are unsuitable for use for people with disabilities. The location since the church street closure makes allotment users more vulnerable. I support the option of relocation as the site suggested offered greater facilities including security and would offer a facility to people with disabilities.

Philippa Auton ● 2330d

Well, Phillipa..you seem to be a newcomer and a mouthpiece for His Dukeness. I wonder how much he pays you or whether you have some vested interest in this affair.As for you saying that crime has increased since Church Rd was closed to traffic..well, why not suggest to the showers that be that it is re-opened to traffic? The 'consultation'(ha ha) showed 76% of respondents wanted the road re-opening.I wonder if you know who pulled some strings to have it ignored so all this could go ahead? You seem to be in the know, come on, spill the beans!

Keith Iddon ● 2330d

He raised £32 million in 2014 from his auction of various items held at Sotheby’s

Neil Chippendale ● 2330d

Sounds to me this is all about envy and class warfare. Are objectors against playing the National lottery? Park road allotments offer low value to the wider community, being under used by a handful of hobby gardeners.

Philippa Auton ● 2330d

The Duke of Northumberland (trust?) sold a very small painting by Raphael in 2003 to the National Gallery, 'Madonna of the Pinks', cost £22 million; previously hung unknown in a side passage.

Christopher Hugh Dakers ● 2331d

I don't think anyone would disagree that money is needed for work at Syon House, but not sure that that entitles the Earl to think he can just ride roughshod over local people and subject this area to yet more development. The family fortune is estimated at £300m. It's not just Syon though, it is happening up at Alnwick too, where the opposition is very vocal.He already has the hotel, the lettings of the house, the garden centre, the various events throughout the year, and on and on, there surely has to be a limit?

Vanessa Smith ● 2331d

I wonder how much money the Duke needs?

Keith Iddon ● 2331d

From 'The Observer':https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/30/peasant-revolt-earl-percy-flats-allotments-london

Vanessa Smith ● 2331d

I was merely putting the case for retaining the allotments that were fought so hard for at the public inquiry late last year. What I am not getting into is the sly try at introducing the current planning application for 'The George' the former pub (Grade 2 listed) in South St. It is an entirely separate matter which will probably be going to the planning committee in May.

Vanessa Smith ● 2331d

Are you saying that the Duke should be allowed to evict the allotment holders so he can sell the site to fund the upgrade of Syon?

Neil Chippendale ● 2331d

Oh come on girls, pistols at dawn or what?

Jean Harrison ● 2332d

Yeh, yeh, yeh, whatever.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

Outstanding retraction Vanessa, is instigating class warfare not a poor attempt to “dog whistle”. Are you aware of how many local people are employed at The Hilton, Garden centre & children’s activity centre? All thanks to enabling development at Syon Park. You still haven’t addressed the need for development in order to bring a historic allotment site to become inclusive to all members of society? You object to any form of development. The present site is unsuitable for people with disabilities but you’re happy about that. Shameful discrimination.

Philippa Auton ● 2332d

I doubt my opinion matters much and no-one is waiting for me to say anything 'publically' or even publicly, and I certainly don't intend to feed into your dog-whistle politics which frankly stink.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

Yes, people are free to object which I’m sure you support, just you haven’t said anything publically yet about objecting to altering the fabric of a listed building with historic local value. Just hope legal procedure is being adhered to and that the councillors who have objected on historic grounds to listed sites  being developed are raising objection to this one. Your thoughts Vanessa?

Philippa Auton ● 2332d

"I’m doubting your commitment to saving the allotment on historical grounds when a building of historic value is being proposed to be knocked down."And you know this - how? I am not aware of any building of historic value that is marked for demolition. The  proper protocols are in place regarding planning applications and those are the correct procedures to abide by.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

On the contrary Vanessa, I’m not the one cherry picking.in only the last three weeks there has been the sad loss of a child’s life and a serious assault against a local member of our community as a result of an area in which the allotment is located. You are putting lives at risk and discriminating against the disabled by continuing to support an allotment in an unsafe area. I’m doubting your commitment to saving the allotment on historical grounds when a building of historic value is being proposed to be knocked down. I think it’s you dear doing the cherry picking.

Philippa Auton ● 2332d

You really do have what might politely be called a hidden agenda don't you? The current application at The George is entirely un-related and a pathetic attempt at what is termed a dogwhistle.Yes, you are confused - completely.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

I’m confused Vanessa, you say you object to the Dukes kind offer on the grounds that it’s poor soil? Ask any gardener and they’ll inform you how that’s easily remedied, by adding manure. As for objecting the development on land that has historic value, I’m interested to hear what your thoughts are on the development of a listed building ( former Gay pub) into a Mosque? Will you be campaigning against this planning proposal with the same vigour!? To make the current allotment site more in keeping with the  21st century, would require development on the scale you are fighting against. The private road entering the allotment would need tarmac, pathways suitable for wheelchair users, plumbing and drainage for toilet facilities, a tarmac car park for users.

Philippa Auton ● 2332d

I really cannot see what your problem is, the allotments have been used as such for nearly a century with no problem, trying to link this matter with recent tragic events is muddle-headed and smacks of opportunism to back a  baseless argument.The site alternative offered was not suitable right from the issue of the soil there, and up to and including the stringent regulations the estate wanted. You may, in the 21st Century, wish to be regarded as an irritant by the local, very rich present incumbent of the estate, he needs perhaps to understand he is the present custodian of this historic Grade 1 listed house and park which is part and parcel of, and for, the local community. Not just a golden goose to plunder. We have long left behind the world of doffing our caps to the gentry, and there is a genuine concern for the local environment both here (and in Alnwick). There is no reason why work could not be done on the present site to accomodate everyone regardless of any (dis)ability, there is no need to ruin an historic landscape to do that.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

Surely you’d agree that the allotments are isolated and increasingly so since the closure of through traffic from Syon lane & church st.? Thus placing allotments users at risk. There are no toilet facilities at the present site. The Duke had kindly offered a site close to a garden centre and hotel with car park and CCTV, use of toilet facilities from the garden centre. Attempting to turn this into class warfare is ridiculous. The road closure which many people including local residents had strongly objected to, has turned the area into a crime ridden area. The present allotment site does not accommodate people needing to use using wheelchairs. This backward looking discrimination is why a new site, offering facilities & including paved access with raised beds is much needed.

Philippa Auton ● 2332d

That is an absolutely outrageous slur on the well organised and responsible allotment holders at Park Road, and it completely ignores the fact that the Planning Inspector agreed with their, Hounslow council's - and the Isleworth Society's view.The very wealthy Duke has not shown himself not to care one jot about 'the best interests of local people' it is all about maximising his assets, and the existance of the allotments had absolutely nothing to do with recent events. The alternative site offered was not suitable for many, many reasons, the allotment holders knew it and so did the Inspector. Not least of which was the preservation of a Grade 1 listed landscape - designed by Capability Brown.

Vanessa Smith ● 2332d

The Duke is acting in the best interests of the people, Syon lane & church street are not safe. Crime ridden since the road closure that no one wanted, there have been a series of serious assaults and most recently a murder. The Duke had offered a better location but local idiots turned it down.

Philippa Auton ● 2333d

Not sure Hounslow council could vote anything down, the land does not belong to them - what they might do is think about a CPO on the allotment site. This has already been floated at the recent IBAF meeting, but the Leader claimed it was 'too expensive and complicated'. However, that didn't seem to bother him unduly when he wanted to build all over the showman's site in Feltham which of course was a far bigger site. Don't forget either that the Duke has a planning application in at Alnwick for an 'elfic playground' and 600 seater stadium, described by locals as 'Disneyland', this to be sited in Alnwick garden next to the castle in historic grounds. Dear me, the peasants are revolting all over the place! Hounslow do need to step up to the plate and support the allotment holders.

Vanessa Smith ● 2333d