Enfield Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their project ‘Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community’, it was announced today.
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.”