Duke of Northumberland accused of bully boy tactics over plan to turn allotments into flats
Ralph Percy s company is attempting to reduce the size of the allotments to make way for up to 80 properties in seven blocks of flats
3 June 2021 • 5:53pm
Campaigners fighting to save the allotment staged a protest outside Syon House dressed as peasants
Credit: Julian Joyce
The Duke of Northumberland has threatened to close allotments at a London estate after tenants complained about plans to shrink them to make room for flats.
A planning application submitted earlier this year from the Duke’s estate company, Northumberland Estates, revealed plans to reduce Isleworth Allotment Gardens to make way for 80 properties within seven blocks of flats.
Young farmer, Lucy Story, has had a challenging year. At the age of 29 she took on the tenancy of the beef, sheep and arable farm in Northumberland farmed by her parents – one of few female farm tenants and probably among the youngest in the country – and in January, 2021, she became a mum. Now, with help from her husband, Tom, an auctioneer with Harrison and Hetherington, as well as two full-time members of staff, Lucy is running the 1000 acre Rugley Farm, near Alnwick – the third generation of the family to farm it in almost 50 years. Lucy and Tom are evolving the farming policy of beef, sheep and arable crops, which optimise production on heavy soils that limit arable production, to ease management now that she is running the Northumberland Estates’ holding on her own.
Northumberland Estates staff have helped raise nearly £25,000 for charity.
Tuesday, 11th May 2021, 4:24 pm
HospiceCare North Northumberland was nominated as its charity of the year in 2020 with the aim of raising £25,000 to celebrate the hospice’s 25th anniversary.
Although last year was tough for many due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Estates’ staff were determined to go the extra mile in an attempt to reach their target and held several fundraising events.
One saw eight departments taking part in the Twenty-five Alive challenge event pitting their wits against each other to raise as much as possible from an initial £25 investment.
Vanessa Proudlock, head of community engagement for Northumberland Estates, is pictured handing over a cheque for £24,516.00 to Maxine Shell, HospiceCare’s family support co-ordinator and nursing assistant, following a year of fundraising for the Hospice.
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