DEVELOPERS OFFER HOPE FOR THREATENED BUTTERFLY HOUSE Developers planning to build a luxury hotel in Syon Park on behalf of the Duke of Northumberland have offered some hope to supporters of the threatened Butterfly House.
The Radisson Edwardian Group are based in Hounslow and headed by Jasminder Singh who was recently featured as the fourth richest Asian in Britain after Lakshmi Mittal and the Hinduja brothers. The group's Heathrow airport hotel is regular voted the best for business travellers. Nick Smart, a director of the hotel group reportedly said that, "this development will take the tat out." The Duke of Northumberland, one of the largest land holders in the country, has attracted much criticism over the scheme. He enjoys substantial tax breaks from the Government for Syon Park. One person on the forum stated, " Why couldn't he have taken the Long Leat approach and expanded the facilities for children rather than shutting them down?" Syon Park's estate management are now saying that they are in discussions to save the Butterfly House. With three years to go before the expiry of the Butterfly House's lease and ten years for the other two facilities there would seem to be plenty of time for a successful resolution. 13th April 2002 Links |