The Duke of Northumberland, thought to be one of the UK's richest men, has lost his appeal against a Hounslow Council decision to deny him planning permission.

In October 2021, the Duke's plan to turn three acres of historical allotment land into 80 new flats was rejected leading to a lengthy appeals process that began in August.

Characterised as a David vs Goliath story, the appeals hearing heard from some of the best lawyers in the country representing the £400m Duke while local residents, councillors and MPs spoke out against the plans characterising them as 'cynical', 'greedy' and 'out of touch'.

The council successfully argued that its initial rejection of the plan was valid on the grounds it would harm protected local open space and heritage assets and would be harmful to allotment provision when demand in the area is high and supply is short.

The Planning Inspectorate John Longmuir dismissed the Duke of Northumberland's appeal against Hounslow Council which would have seen the Park Road Allotments in Isleworth redeveloped.

Park Road Allotments (credit: Arianne Duch).

The Duke's lawyers' argument rested in part on the idea that the new properties would provide revenue that could help the refurbishment of Syon House, a historic Hounslow landmark.

However, the allotments, which have been used by the community since 1917 when the Duke's ancestor leased the land to the council to feed wounded soldiers returning from the First World War have proved to be a vital lifeline for people's mental and physical health leading to a strong rebuttal of the Duke's arguments.

The case was fought between the Estate's KC and Hounslow Council's barrister with pro bono lawyers representing allotment holders and the Isleworth Society.

The campaign to defend the council's decision was supported by Isleworth Cllrs Salman Shaheen, Sue Sampson and John Stroud-Turp along with Ruth Cadbury MP.

As a result of the decision, the land will remain in community use meeting the demands of Hounslow residents for open space. 

Cllr Salman Shaheen and Allotment (credit: Cllr Salman Shaheen).

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."

There were also concerns the Duke has the power to evict allotment holders as the landlord of the site. 

Cllr Shaheen said: "I understand why the Estate felt it had to take this position, but it is now evident that this site cannot be built on and making it derelict serves no one.

"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."

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