Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to reinvigorate Broomfield Park, exploring its rich heritage and providing activities for the community and stakeholders to engage with the vision for the park.Development funding of £532,490 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Enfield Council progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £3,672,231 at a later date. The project will include developing a plan for dismantling the derelict, burnt-out shell of Broomfield House and reconnecting the House and Park through memorialization, interpretation, and landscaping which will include restoration of the unique Baroque water garden.The project has been developed by Enfield Council in collaboration with the Friends of Broomfield Park, Broomfield House Trust, the Enfield Society, Southgate District Civic Voice, and councillors who helped steer and shape the application.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Open Spaces, Culture and Local Economy, Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, said: “Enfield Council is committed to nurturing our arts, heritage and creative sectors to connect people through culture.
“During the development phase of this project, the Council will work with the local community to produce a shared vision for the memorialization of Broomfield House and its integration back into the historic park.
“For too many years, the shell of the House has stood with little purpose and no connection to the people who use the park. This project will finally address the issue of the House and reinvigorate the area while acknowledging its importance to the people of Enfield.”
Local people will be encouraged to get involved in a range of activities including heritage and nature themed health and wellbeing schemes; a community archaeology dig; a mural hoardings project and engagement with young people in decisions about the park.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We believe that investing in heritage means investing in the community it belongs to. It has the power to make our communities better places to live, bringing a sense of pride of place and this project in Enfield is no exception. It will not only see this Grade II listed park brought back to life but also engage with its community in new ways. We look forward to working with the team to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.”
Broomfield Park is located in Palmers Green, N13 4PL. The Park is home to a conservatory, orchard, community café, wetlands and play area. More information can be found on the Friends of Broomfield Park website. https://www.fobp.uk/about
Visit https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/planning/broomfield-house#introduction for more information on Broomfield House
The core of Broomfield House dates back to the1560s. It was originally owned by John Broomfield, a leather merchant. The House has been used for various purposes over the centuries and well into the 20th century. However, it has remained derelict following a series of fires in 1984, 1993, 1994 and 2019.
The building is now surrounded by scaffolding. More than 80 per cent of the historic fabric has been lost, though elements of its interior were saved and are currently in storage.
Enfield Council has received a grant offer of £532,490 from The Heritage Fund. This is 88 per cent of the total Development Phase cost of £605,490. The remaining 12 per cent will be raised through a combination of internal Enfield Council funding, and a small contribution through community fund raising. Over the course of the Development Phase project, Enfield Council will:
Work with the local community to produce a shared vision for the memorialization of Broomfield House and its integration back into the historic park
Establish a permanent home for material salvaged from past fires
Run a range of activities with stakeholders, residents, and project partners
Secure planning and statutory consent for future works
- About The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
* National Lottery Heritage Fund grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Unlocking Broomfield Park has initially been granted round one development funding of £532,490 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £3,672,231.
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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