Forum topic: Broomfield Park Stableyard Fire

Arson is almost certainly to blame for last night’s fire which has destroyed the interiors and roofing of the Garden House which runs along Broomfield Lane at the rear of the Broomfield House stable yard. The stables themselves appear to be undamaged. Council officers are examining the structural integrity of the Grade II listed walls to ensure public safety.

The early 19th century stable yard buildings are included in the Broomfield House Partnership Board’s work on the future of Broomfield House. One option considered is to convert these buildings, including the Garden House in to managed artists’ studios. It is too early to be able to assess the implications of this fire on the whole project, but it’s not likely to be good news.

We may know more by the Trust's AGM on 9 May at the United Reform Church Fox Lane at 7.30.


Colin Younger
Chair,
The Broomfield House Trust

On second thoughts, there may be more damage to the stables than I originally thought since these buildings join on to the stables.

Council officers have visited the site with Historic England’s structural engineer. Given the loss of the Garden House roof, the two chimney stacks have been left with limited support and will need to be partially dismantled. The bricks will be salvaged and stored. Scaffolding will be erected to facilitate this.

There are already CCTV cameras which have been effective in detecting and then identifying troublemakers in the stableyard. Additional cameras were to be added to cover the rear of these properties after problems in the week or so before the fire, but I don't think that there had been time to install them. There are other CCTV cameras in the park.