Hounslow Heath

In 1818, this 10 acres of Hounslow Heath was enclosed under an Act of Parliament and gifted to form the endowment of the Fuel Allotment Charity. The purposes were to compensate for the loss of the common rights of all inhabitants to roam and cut fuel on the heath which were extinguished by the enclosure.

Later, it became a market garden, the rent from which was handed out to those poor in need of relief, particularly fuel. This legacy was amalgamated in 1994 with other Almshouse charities for cheaper administration whilst retaining its original purpose of universal benefit to those in need of relief.

Since 1992, the site has remained as a defunct Garden Centre with intermittent fortnightly car boot sales.

The opening up to community -wide use and benefit would fulfil the original scope entrusted by the original settlement and would provide a secure legacy to the charitable aims envisaged by the original Enclosure Commissioners.