Memorial garden and garden ruin at Broomfield House Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, London N13

What was proposed

The proposal would partly demolish unsafe parts of the listed house, retain key elements and create a memorial garden with paths, seating and planting.

“PROPOSAL: Dismantle part of Broomfield House to create a memorial garden, involving removing unstable walls and adapting sound sections, to facilitate its use as a garden and turn the remaining footprint of the ruin into a garden space with landscape restoration. (Planning Permission & Listed Building Consent)”

Officer report

The site and its condition

The site contains a Grade II* listed house within a Grade II registered park, vacant since 1999 and damaged by several fires.

“The site comprises the Grade-II* listed Broomfield House and its surrounding setting, all of which lie within the Grade-II registered park and garden.”

“An early eighteenth-century rectangular stable block stands to the south of Broomfield House and has remained vacant since 1999. The stable court is enclosed by high brick walls dating from the early eighteenth century, which together with the building form an architecturally and historically significant ensemble.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would address disrepair and safety, conserve surviving fabric and provide substantial public benefits despite less than substantial heritage harm.

“The proposed works would deliver substantial public benefits. These include the stabilisation and conservation of the remaining historic fabric; the removal of unsightly hoardings and scaffolding; and the re-opening of the site to the public for the first time in many years.”

“The proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset, arising primarily from the partial loss of historic fabric and the introduction of new elements within the footprint of the former building.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Historic England, council heritage officers, transport officers, trees officers and other consultees raised no objections subject to safeguards, while one public representation supported the proposal.

“LBE Heritage No objections subjection to 10 conditions securing the following: 1. Programme of Historic Building Recording, Programme of historic building recording 2. Construction management 3. A Programme for the Assessment and Use of Salvaged Historic Fabric 4. New elements 5. Mortar mix samples 6. Structural interventions 7. Hard and soft landscaping 8. Interpretation features 9. A Salvaged Historic Fabric Assessment and Strategy 10.”

“Historic England (Greater London Archaeology No objections subject to conditions requiring a Historic Building Investigation (WSI), Archaeological Investigation (WSI) and Public Engagement Strategy.”

Officer report

Main planning balance

Officers considered the building beyond viable repair and found that landscape restoration, public access, heritage conservation and interpretation outweighed the identified harm.

“The salvaged materials of the building are a key consideration in informing the decision-making process. In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraph 213 states that any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification.”

“In this instance, it is recognised that the house building is beyond viable repair or reconstruction, which provides a significant part of the justification for the proposed level of intervention. It is also noted that the building is currently enclosed by scaffolding and hoardings, which prevent public access and detract from its appreciation within the park setting.”

Officer report

Safeguards proposed

The recommendation included conditions and legal obligations covering historic recording, construction, salvaged materials, the mural, landscaping, trees, biodiversity and financial security.

“That in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 the Director of Planning and Growth be authorised to GRANT listed building consent and planning consent subject to the completion of a Shadow Section 106 agreement to secure the matters covered in this report and to be appended to the decision notice and a Memorandum of Understanding being entered into to secure the obligations contained in the Shadow Legal agreement and the…”

“Time Limit 2. Approved plans 3. Programme of historic building recording 4. Construction management 5. A Programme for the Assessment and Use of Salvaged Historic Fabric 6. New elements 7. Mortar mix samples 8. Structural interventions 9. Hard and soft landscaping 10. Interpretation features 11. A Salvaged Historic Fabric Assessment and Strategy 12. Revised Tree Protection Plan 13. Tree planting and establishment. 14. Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan.”

Officer report

The decision

“1. That in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 the Director of Planning and Growth be authorised to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions and the completion of a Shadow Section 106 agreement to secure the matters covered in this report and to be appended to the decision notice and a Memorandum of Understanding being entered into to secure the obligations contained in the Shadow Legal agreement. 2. That in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 the Director of Planning and Growth be authorised to GRANT listed building consent subject to conditions. 3. That the Director of Planning and Growth be granted delegated authority to agree the final wording of: i. conditions and the Shadow Legal agreement of the planning permission and ii. conditions of the listed bu”

Minutes, 14 Jul 2026