THE Duke of Northumberland’s appeals against the refusal of more than 100 flats in London have fallen on deaf ears.

The Duke, who owns Syon House and Park in the capital, in addition to Northumberland Estates, had submitted joint applications to the London Borough of Hounslow to excavate part of Syon Park for a new allotment and to build 119 flats and eight houses on the site. However, these proposals were rejected.

Appeals against the decision were submitted in October, but subsequently dismissed by planning inspector, Nick Fagan, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Mr Fagan’s report said: “I conclude that both appeals should be dismissed because both proposals are contrary to local and national policy, and the presumption in favour of the development plan is not outweighed by other material considerations.”