Forum Topic

Round 2 - and off we go again!

The Northumberland Estate (Syon Park) have - as expected - have chosen this time of year to lodge another planning application with Hounslow council for developing the Park Rd. allotment site for housing. Having already lost the first application that went to a public inquiry they have been meetings with the Leader of the council and planning officers behind closed doors, an FOI reveals no Minutes taken of these meetings apparently.Interestingly if you look at the application (P/2020/4292) there are NO supporting documents provided, what with this and this ridiculous matter of Ballymore not applying for permission for that car park, these developers must think Hounslow is a real soft touch

Vanessa Smith ● 1702d5 Comments

Allotments are a vital part of urban relief and especially for older citizens, I see that yet again, Hounslow are continuing their rather agist policy of exclusion by means testing over 65s who may have a plot and making holding a plot unviable.

Raymond Havelock ● 1695d

The reason for the look of the allotments is what you correctly guessed, for a long while now the estate has refused to let plots and of course the run-down look works in their favour. 'Managed decline' - but none the more for that this site is important for the biodiversity of the area and the support of wildlife.

Vanessa Smith ● 1697d

Quite honestly, I've thought that those allotments look under-used and 'in a poor state of repair' for many years. The thought has gone through my head when seeing them that they at least provide a good habitat for wildlife. If access to allotment holders had been denied then we surely would have heard as much. Could it be though that allotments weren't reallocated when somebody left their plot?  I'm sure there are people who use their allotment well but what you say certainly rings a bell with me. This is just an observation and doesn't mean I think the land should be concreted over.While I'm here - have people noticed that a ?triangle? of woodland at the back entrance of the hospital is up for sale? It has been for some time and presumably still is. I'm wondering whether the land belongs to the hospital and is being sold to raise money. It is, however, as far as I know being sold as 'woodland'. I wonder whether, once purchased, the trees could be felled and buildings erected. Does anybody know?

Anne England ● 1698d

Took a look at Park Road allotments today and left feeling that they are in comparison very neglected and run down compared with other local allotments which have never looked better than in this recent time. Is this because potholders have been denied access or any other reason.Unless there is a good reason ( and I hope there is) then it would carry far more gravitas if they were demonstrably productive and utilised.I know there are amenities dotted about that have been made inaccessible to users  and then the run down used to justify changes of use etc. But this have been clearly manipulated and would not be in any state of neglect.So can this be explained a little?

Raymond Havelock ● 1698d

Hooray! The supporting documents are now available. Remmeber there is a finite time for objections to be lodged so please bear that in mind.

Vanessa Smith ● 1698d