 The Estate was given to the trust by the Astor family in 1942 |
Controversial plans to build almost 200 homes on National Trust land have been given the go-ahead at the charity's annual general meeting. A resolution opposing the development on the Cliveden Estate at Taplow, Berkshire, was narrowly defeated at Sunday's meeting in Portsmouth.
Under the trust's proposals, the derelict Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital in the grounds will be demolished and 191 homes built on the site.
A planning application will now be submitted by the developers, while protesters vow to take their battle to the council.
The National Trust say the development will secure the future of the rest of the Cliveden site. Some trust members living close to the site have spoken out against the plan.
Euan Felton, who voted for the resolution, said: "We think the trust has every justification in wishing to earn some income from it.
"We just think this excessive general housing development is a step too far."
Julia Simpson, area manager at the National Trust, commented: "By developing the derelict hospital site, we have the opportunity to benefit people in the area through the provision of quality housing.
"In doing so, we will also be able to help secure the future of Cliveden, one of the trust's most inspiring properties".
The estate was donated to the National Trust by the Astor family in 1942.
Since then, the trust say a large backlog of repairs have built up, and without a secure source of funding, the estate would continue to deteriorate.
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We will be able to help secure the future of Cliveden, one of the Trust's most inspiring properties 
