Northumberland Estates Loses Park Road Allotment Appeal

Refused permission to build housing on Isleworth site

The Park Road Allotments. Picture: Val Snewin

December 12, 2023

The Planning Inspectorate has decided to refuse an appeal by Northumberland Estates to develop the allotments on Park Road.

Hounslow Council had refused permission for a plan to build 80 housing units in seven blocks on the three acre site but the organisation owned by the Duke of Northumberland contested the decision.

The location in Isleworth has been used for allotments since the First World War when it was leased by the estate to the council to provide food for wounded soldiers.

An earlier attempt to develop the site had failed before the borough planning committee unanimously turned down the latest plan in October 2021 against the advice of the council’s own planning officers. Over 1,000 objections had been made to the application.

The Planning Inspectorate informed interested parties this Tuesday (12 December) that the appeal was being rejected on the grounds that it would harm protected local open space and heritage assets. There was also concern about a loss of allotment provision at a time of high demand for plots.

Cllr Salman Shaheen, Councillor for Isleworth and Cabinet Member for Public Spaces on Hounslow Council, said, “I want to thank Planning Inspector John Longmuir for upholding Hounslow Council’s correct decision to protect this vital Local Open Space from the Duke of Northumberland’s bulldozers. Today’s decision preserves allotments that have been worked and loved by the people of Isleworth for over a century and will safeguard our little patch of paradise for generations to come.

“Demand for allotments has only surged in the wake of the pandemic. And this planning inquiry has proven that we need more green space to grow food, not less.

“This site must be maintained as allotments for the good of the people of Isleworth in perpetuity and I look forward to discussing with Northumberland Estates how this can be facilitated.”

He called on the Duke to wind back on threats that the allotments may be closed if planning permission was not forthcoming.

Anthony Agius, a local Green Party member and an allotment holder, had spoken out against the proposal at the Planning Appeal Inquiry, when he highlighted the impact on biodiversity and the existing Green Corridor for wildlife. After the decision to refuse he said, " I welcome the decision to turn down this planning appeal. This is the second time in 5 years that the Northumberland Estates has been prevented from concreting over this precious green space in Isleworth. I hope that the Duke of Northumberland will finally take No for an answer and re-let the vacant plots on the site. I would like to thank local ward councillors, The Isleworth Society, Park Road Allotments Association and everyone who signed petitions and supported the campaign to save this open space.’”

Colin Barnes, planning and development director at Northumberland Estates, said, “We are disappointed that this scheme which would have provided much-need affordable housing while retaining green space and allotments has not been approved. We will take some time to consider our options.”