Hundreds flocked to Hanwork Park House on Saturday (December 9) to show their support for the restoration of the Grade II-listed building.

The house has stood empty for 25 years and according to owner Gary Cottle could fall into disrepair if work is not carried out in the next few years.

Hounslow council has previously opposed existing development plans saying they are "not in keeping with green belt policy".

Following a community day over the weekend however, it appears a number of steps have been taken in the right direction.

More than 400 local residents, a number of councillors, the deputy mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Mukesh Malhotra, as well as guest of honour, MP for Feltham and Heston Seema Malhotra, turned out at the historic building as part of an open day.

The organiser and a man who is playing a key role in the development talks is local resident Richard Griffiths, who said a promising support base has been developed as a result of the community day.

The deputy mayor of Hounslow was present at the house open day

On Tuesday (December 5) he, along with a number of other members of the community, met with the leader of Hounslow council, Cllr Steve Curran, to discuss the future of the house.

Questions were raised over issues with the green belt policy, despite the site already having approval for a large hotel and car park to be built, according to owner Mr Cottle.

Mr Griffiths said: "We met Steve Curran, leader of Hounslow council, in his office to discuss the problems about the green belt and why we want the house saved.

"They said they fully support the restoration of Hanworth Park House and thanked us for getting the support of the community.

"I organised with the support team and Gary a tour with councillors and deputy mayor of Hounslow.

"They were fully supportive, which is fantastic."

In some parts the floors and ceilings have fallen through

He added: "I run the Facebook page, which has gone from 200 members to 1,500 now.

"We are supporting Gary as the community is very interested in the community benefits, restoration of the house, grounds, Longford River and a better park to enjoy.

"The community supports Gary’s plans for housing which is needed in the area.

"Myself and the team are being set up for a meeting with Historic England in the new year, which the leader of the council is setting up.

"Steve Curran has agreed to meet Gary in the new year."

The house has stood empty for 25 years

House owner Mr Cottle wants to raise £10 million to restore the property, but planning applications for flats were rejected in August this year.

The local community has since rallied together in support, creating their own plan setting out benefits to the local area.

The plans include community spaces both inside and outside the house providing a museum and café, alongside function and meeting rooms which can be used by local societies and groups.

This area will be used by the community

It also sets out plans for the restoration of Longford River and more than 10 acres of overgrown neglected green land to include walking, cycling and heritage trails which will be open to the public, alongside a public garden and allotment area.

"There comes a point where you can't save the house."

Getwestlondon was invited through the doors of the house to witness the scale of dilapidation.

During our tour through the house, Mr Cottle explained it would be "shocking" if this house was left to fall into disrepair.

The first floor will be turned into accommodation

He said: "At the moment, the challenge we have is if we don't do something in the next year or so, the house won't probably survive.

"We've started to lose a lot more rooms in the last six or nine months than we thought, so the floors are going soft, some of the videos will show that the house has collapsed in one wing, so there comes a point where you can't save the house.

"We are not there yet, the house is very salvageable and we think particularly the outside is very easy to restore.

The ballroom is in urgent need or restoration

"The challenge is that if we lose the ballroom, that will be lost forever and if you lose the house, that will be lost forever."

He added: "This is a building that we just have to save.

"It's nonsense if it doesn't get saved, I think it will be shocking if it doesn't get saved."

Hanworth Park House was built in the early 1800s and was once used as a military hospital during the First World War and was more recently used as a nursing care home from 1953 to 1992.

"The residents are doing a fantastic job and we will be meeting again"

Cllr Steve Curran, leader of Hounslow Council, has previously said the authority wants to see the house restored.

Cllr. Steve Curran with members of the local community

Following his meeting with members of the local community, he explained: "We support the aim to have the it restored.

"We will be talking to Historic England about what potential planning policy changes we can investigate to enable us to go forward.

"The residents are doing a fantastic job and we will be meeting again."

"This is a historic site and a hugely significant local asset"

Local MP Seema Malhotra says the event over the weekend proves there is "huge local interest in restoring the house".

MP for Feltham and Heston, Seema Malhotra, is supporting the restoration

She believes the house could be a "fabulous tourist attraction", explaining: "This is a historic site and a hugely significant local asset.

"It has the potential to be a fabulous tourist attraction as well as once again playing a big part in the lives of local people.

"I am sure there can be progress made on tackling the planning issues of concern so that we can move forward in the interests of the local community to bring the house and the site back into productive use."

While at the event on Saturday, she spoke to 89-year-old Iris Fielding, who used to work at the house as an assistant officer when it was a residential home.

Recalling the time she worked there, Iris said: "Lovely, beautiful old building and it was a pleasure to be able to use the outside for different functions, fetes, and we used to have little parties inside because there was such a nice lot of space."

Iris says she would like the house to be restored for the community and thinks the plans are "absolutely ideal".

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