Enfield Council has submitted a bid for heritage lottery funding for the development stage of its plans for Broomfield House and Park, which would see the remains of the derelict mansion dismantled and "memorialised" and landscaping of parts of the park to reflect its history.
Last week the Heritage Forum was briefed on the council's vision for the future of Broomfield House and Park
In October 2022 Palmers Green Community reported that, with all options for rebuilding Broomfield House exhausted, Enfield Council would be bidding for Heritage Lottery funding to cover the cost of dismantling the derelict shell of the former mansion and "reconnecting the Park and House through memorialisation, interpretation and landscaping".
The first funding bid has now been submitted, and last week the borough's Environment Forum was briefed on the council's vision for both House and Park. If this bid, and a subsequent bid in 2025, are both successful, the project will take until July 2028 to complete.
In line with Enfield Council's vision, as set out in the briefing, Broomfield Park
- Becomes a flagship park for North London, known for its historic landscape and heritage assets, natural environment, and community provision.
- Provides opportunities for Enfield borough communities to thrive and learn about its history and to volunteer and participate in its upkeep and activation.
- Inspires residents and visitors to live ecologically and sustainably, with community growing spaces and orchards, flourishing wildlife, and beautiful gardens.
The remains of the mansion once at the heart of Broomfield Park have stood derelict for nearly forty years
Realising this vision requires two phases - Development and Delivery - each lasting two years and each dependent on lottery funding, as shown in the Project Timeline:
Project Timeline
- Round One application submitted – 17th August 2023
- Decision expected from National Lottery Heritage Fund November 2023
- Start the Development Phase February 2024 – this will last two years
- Deadline for Round Two application – November 2025
- Decision made by National Lottery Heritage Fund – March 2026
- Start the Delivery Phase – May 2026
- Works complete – July 2028.
Development Phase (2024-25)
- Procurement and team assembly
- Surveys
- Co-curation of memorialisation of house
- Community pilot activities
- Securing planning and statutory consent for proposals
- Fundraising and business planning
- Evaluation
Delivery Phase (2026-28)
- Dismantle Broomfield House
- Memorialise Broomfield House and reintegration into Park
- Works to the Upper and Middle Lakes
- Restoring and enhancing historic Baroque landscape
- Relocate salvaged material from Broomfield house
- Install interpretation and improve wayfinding
- Cultural and heritage events
Community involvement
The degree to which local residents take an interest in the future of Broomfield House and Park is indicated by the scale of the response to an online survey during July this year: a total of 1,250 people provided answers to questions under the title Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community.
Although the responses suggested that people value the park more as a way of experiencing nature and maintaining health and wellbeing and less for its historic and heritage value, 95% of respondents said they were interested in the park's history.
Community involvement is planned for both Development and Delivery phases, as shown below.
