A page on the council's website reveals new details about the project to dismantle the remains of Broomfield House and restore various historic features of Broomfield Park. The development phase of the 'Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community' project is currently under way, using Lottery funding. The delivery phase, if it goes ahead, is expected to be completed by December 2028.
Recent updates to the Broomfield House pages on the Enfield Council website finally provide some specific detail in answer to the question: "What does the mysterious phrase 'Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community' actually mean?" However, the council has not exactly gone out of its way to draw the public's attention to this information, which is hidden away on a page with details of briefs for recruitment of external commissions.
The "unlocking" phrase first appeared about two years ago, referring to the project aimed at resolving the longstanding question of what to do with the ruins of the fire-wracked mansion that was once at the heart of Broomfield Park, while also restoring some of the park's other historic features and bringing benefits for the local community.
Since then the council has succeeded in a bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, so far receiving £532,490 to pay for the development phase, with the prospect of a further grant of £3,672,231 to fund the delivery phase. On top of the grant, Enfield Council is providing £35,000 of match funding spread across three financial years (2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026).
Footage of the remains of Broomfield House recorded using a drone in September 2017
The council website has had a section devoted to the Broomfield House project since 2022, including a page with links to some interesting documents about previous attempts to resurrect the mansion but with very little about current intentions.
This changed recently, when a new page with the title "Procurement" appeared, though even here the reader has to dig and open up the job descriptions for some of the new posts being created to progress the project. Currently the page links to briefs for three new consultant posts covering collections heritage, fundraising and evaluation services. But for the general public, what is of most interest is the information the briefs contain about what the "Unlocking" project entails.
The briefs list the vision underlying the project and its aims:
The vision is:
- Broomfield Park will be a local Icon: Broomfield Park will be a flagship park for North London, known for its historic landscape and heritage assets, natural environment, and community provision.
- It will support vibrant communities: Broomfield Park will provide opportunities for Enfield borough communities to thrive and learn about its history and to volunteer and participate in its upkeep and activation.
- Prosper as a Green Environment: Broomfield Park will inspire residents and visitors to live ecologically and sustainably, with community growing spaces and orchards, flourishing wildlife, and beautiful gardens.
The aims of this project which is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund are to:
- involve the community in the memorialisation of Broomfield House
- restore the relationship of Broomfield House to the historic park and improve the condition and understanding of the archaeological and horticultural heritage of the Baroque water gardens.
- improve the legibility of the historic landscape.
- use cutting edge heritage interpretation tools to tell the story of the historic house,park and garden.
- co-curate a programme of inclusive activities that celebrate the historic landscape, built and natural heritage assets for Enfield’s communities
- provide a range of work experience and placement opportunities for the community.
- encourage volunteering, participation, and ownership of the park.
The legacy of the project will be a more resilient park, enjoyed by more and a wider range of residents, and supported by more volunteers. Alongside the restoration works, the project will deliver a two year programme of heritage engagement activities.
Source: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/planning/broomfield-house#procurement
The most interesting new information is contained in the "Project Description" section of the briefs (see the extract below). This outlines the restoration work envisaged for various parts of the walled area around the house (the numbers LCA1 etc refer to the map on page 142 of the 2016 Conservation Management Plan), including desilting and restoration work on the lakes.
As regards the remains of the house, these will be dismantled and "memorialise[d], stitching this part of the park back into the wider historical park". The reference to the "several options for dismantlement, at different levels" and to the "retained structure" isn't entirely clear, but it suggests that some of the fabrik of the house will be retained and made safe. Options for "memorialisation" of the house include a new garden or a new "structure".
There will also be a community archaeology project and a two-year activity plan for the community, starting in late 2026 and focussed on wellbeing. The entire project is due to be wrapped up in December 2028.
4. Project Description
The project has already completed the RIBA Stage 1 Preparation and Briefing, and a clear client brief and cost plan have been established.
This project focuses on four areas in the 2016 Conservation Management Plan. These are Upper Lake & Walled frontage (LCA1), Middle Lake & Walled Frontage (LCA2), East Lawn adjacent to the house (LCA4) and Garden southern axis (LCA6). It will also dismantle and memoralise the Grade II* listed Broomfield House, stitching this part of the park back into the wider historical park. Structural Engineers have explored several options for dismantlement, at different levels, which will enable the retained structure to be safe, visible and be easily managed in the future. Costs are similar for each option. The final memorialisation will be developed by the Landscape Architects during RIBA 2/3 working closely with the community.
During the Delivery phase (RIBA 4+) Broomfield House will be dismantled. Additional scaffolding or a crane and cage will be required to do this due to the current condition of the scaffolding. A Level 4 recording of the dismantlement will be undertaken and potentially some archaeological work. The house will be memorialised in some way, to be determined through consultation and co-curation with core and priority audiences. This could be the creation of a new garden, or a structure. This is seen as part of the improvements to the landscape.
The Upper and Middle lakes will be de-silted. The original boundary of the Upper Lake will be restored. Visible sections of the Middle Lake’s frontage will be repointed and stone replaced. The cascade in the middle lake will be repaired and aerating equipment installed to improve water quality and ecological health. Marginal planting will be undertaken. Work may occur concurrently, or sequentially on the Lakes, depending on advice given on the impacts to wildlife.
Within the red line boundary:
- repairs will be made to paths, the urn will be restored, heritage features reinstated and the walls repointed
- repairs and restoration of the East lawn will be undertaken. This may include reintroducing terraces to reflect the Baroque landscape
- replanting and reinstating borders where planting is inappropriate and been lost (but not the long border which has already been recreated by the Friends’ horticultural volunteers)
- removing trees to reinstate historic views across the park
A permanent home for salvaged parts of the Georgian staircase and panelling after the 1984 fire and fragments of the Lanscroon Murals will need to be found. This will be a critical element of the project as it will form part of the planning process and approval to dismantle Broomfield House. Interpretation will be installed to raise awareness of the Park’s significance and to remember Broomfield House. Wayfinding will be improved as part of the interpretation strategy.
A two year Activity Plan focused on wellbeing, increasing understanding of built and natural heritage, and skills development is planned. Three pilots have been planned during the Development Phase: a community archaeological dig; series of heritage health and wellbeing walks; and a project with young people to create a mural on the hoardings around Broomfield House. Their purpose is three-fold: to hear hidden voices, voices of non-park users, and trial activities. The Community Engagement Officer will commission these and support the Activity Planner with consultation. Priorities are to work with people without private gardens, older, social isolated members of the community, young people, pupils, and families to improve wellbeing, provide opportunities for learning and skills development. There is also an appetite for more traditional programming, heritage, and cultural events.
Source: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/planning/broomfield-house#procurement
Included in the job briefs is the following table showing "approximate key dates for design, mobilisation, memorialisation and works to the park" , which are subject to change. The numbered RIBA work stages are explained here.
| Development Activity | Dates |
| Development Grant Award & Permission to Start | February-24 |
| Tendering of professional team | February 2023 — April 2024 |
| RIBA Stage 2 — Concept Design | May — December 2024 |
| Mid Stage Review | February-25 |
| RIBA Stage 3 — Spatial Co-ordination | March — Oct 2025 |
| Submission of Delivery Phase application (Round 2) | March-25 |
| Permission to Start Delivery Phase * | June-26 |
| RIBA Stage 4 — Technical Design | July — December 2026 |
| RIBA 4 Design sign off by Heritage Fund | February-27 |
| RIBA Stage 5 — Mobilisation, dismantlement of Broomfield House, memorialisation, and improvements to the Park | July 2027 — June 2028 |
| RIBA Stage 6 — Handover | July-28 |
| RIBA Stage 7 — Rectification period | July 2028 - June 2029 |
| Delivery of 2 year Activity Plan | November 2026-October 2028 |
| Evaluation and wrap up of project | July 2026 — December 2028 |
* Subject to a Round 2 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund