Duke’s flats plan defeated by ‘peasants’ revolt’

Revolting “peasants” have scotched plans by one of Britain’s wealthiest landowners to build 80 flats in west London. Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, had been widely expected to overcome opposition from a group of residents and councillors to his plan to build 80 flats on part of the estate at Grade I listed Syon House in west London after he received backing from officials at Hounslow Council. Instead the application was refused last night after 10 councillors on the planning committee voted against it as a loss of open space. Two abstained and three voted in favour. Gardeners at the allotments had argued that the three-acre site is a wildlife haven and home to rare butterflies and beetles. Under the proposals the proceeds from renting the new flats were to go towards funding repairs at Syon House, which has been the setting for the period dramas Bridgerton and Downton Abbey and Disney’s 2014 film Maleficent. The estate said the homes would have included social housing and housing specifically for healthcare workers at West Middlesex Hospital. The 37 allotment plots were to be converted into 31 smaller ones, with the housing development occupying about two-thirds of the existing site. The Percys arrived in England from Normandy in 1067, shortly after William the Conqueror. The family’s wealth is estimated at £300m. The current duke studied surveying at Reading University. The Times (£)