Volunteers will instead work on the project to create a memorial for the site in Palmers Green, writes Finn Logue

Palmers Green campaign group Broomfield House Trust has announced its closure.

The group was initially set up to work on the restoration, rebuilding and repairing of the historic house which sits in Broomfield Park, but with the building now facing demolition the trust’s original mission is said to be “not feasible”.

Work will instead focus on the memorialisation of the house, overseen by the existing Friends of Broomfield Park (FOPB) group.

Colin Younger, chair of Broomfield House Trust, told the Dispatch: “It’s sad that after all these years the trust will close, but it’s because the house is decaying. We just hope that what comes next is positive.”

First built in the 16th Century, the house was damaged by fires in 1984, 1993, 1994 and 2019, as well as “years of neglect”.

Plans to oversee the memorialisation of the house, as well as general horticultural and structural work around the grounds, will fall into the remit of FOBP.

Colin, as well as two other members of the Broomfield House Trust, will “slide over” to continue their work with the friends group. FOBP is now a registered charity, which allows it to broaden the scope of its work.

Enfield Council is set to apply for more National Lottery Heritage funding, having already won an initial bid to launch a memorialisation project. If successful, work with FOBP will focus on a memorial for the house as well as restoration of the lakes.

Colin said: “Since the house was shut in 1984 such a long time ago, there are a lot of people for whom it doesn’t mean very much. But they are amazed when we tell them about the history of the place.

“They don’t know that the house was owned by the richest man in England at one point. One of the aims of our project is to tell people these stories.”

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