Duke of Northumberland Loses Appeal to Develop Allotments into Flats

Planning Inspectorate upholds Hounslow council's decision, citing potential harm to local open space, heritage sites and allotments.

The Duke of Northumberland's eight-year battle to turn allotments at his Grade I listed London home and estate into 80 apartments has been lost.
The Duke's proposals were rejected by both the Hounslow council and the Planning Inspectorate due to potential harm to local open space, heritage sites and allotments.
Nearly 1,000 letters of objection were lodged and demonstrations held outside Syon House.
The Duke still has the right to remove the allotments, but this latest ruling suggests he would have to allow the land to “rewild” rather than build on it.
Demand for allotments in Hounslow has surged in the wake of the pandemic, with 185 people on a waiting list.