The borough is one of 22 around the country to receive specialist advice on how to transform local parks to become “natural health service” for the community

Seven Enfield parks are set to be “transformed” by new parkland management plans that will prioritise “nature recovery” and the safeguarding of historic assets.

Enfield Council was chosen as one of 22 local councils around the UK to receive advice from environmental specialists RSK and “inform restoration and management”.

New management plans have now been drawn up for seven local parks; Forty Hall Estate, Whitewebbs Park, Hilly Fields, Broomfield Park, Grovelands Park, Oakwood Park and Trent Park.

Once finalised, the council will be able to use the plans over the next ten years and beyond to “provide better outcomes for people and the natural and historic environment while safeguarding assets recorded as heritage at risk”.

The survey work was undertaken by Stephenson Halliday with fellow RSK Group companies RSK Wilding and Headland Archaeology. The companies worked with Bosky Trees to provide a programme for the council to “protect and rejuvenate” the parks and their buildings of historic and sometimes national importance.

The management plans will provide a “natural health service for the community” and also play a key role in local climate action plans and nature recovery networks. They propose enhancements including restoring historic views, landscape features and built structures; safe spaces for users, including management of sightlines and access; encouraging park equity, community engagement and inclusion; opportunities to share history with the public; and maintaining and enhancing a diverse mosaic of habitats.

Stephenson Halliday’s principal landscape manager Sebastian West said: “Since the autumn, our team has carried out research into the history of the parks and the site conditions of the built and natural environment.

“Our assessments included formal tree avenues, protected species and the management of veteran and notable trees such as the Cedar of Lebanon at Forty Hall, one of the great trees of London believed to be planted by celebrated botanist Dr Robert Uvedale.

“From this understanding, we have built a set of masterplans that detail future resilient tree planting, the management of shrubs and other vegetation and enhancements to the historic designed views and ‘sightlines’ that have enabled these parks to be enjoyed for centuries.

“The plans provide a roadmap to make the most of these fantastic parks so that they remain an asset to the community around Enfield.”

Stephenson Halliday’s landscape design director Andrew Tempany said: “To make sure the plans reflect what the parks represent to the community today and remain true to their history, we have played the role of landscape detective by identifying what makes these spaces special.

“When you have such an understanding, it becomes possible to design plans to future-proof and protect them for many more generations to come.”

Sebastian added: “These plans need to not only consider how the park is used and enjoyed today but also account for the impact of a changing climate and deliver on sustainability objectives.

“Our parklands are particularly vulnerable to species loss, extreme heat and aridity and flooding. Plans need to consider potential environmental impacts and develop resilience measures.

“Across the sites, particular attention has been given to the management and protection of veteran trees, some centuries old. These are trees that are of particular biodiversity interest – they provide habitat for birds and roosting opportunities for bats, and their vegetation provides a food source for a plethora of birds, mammals and invertebrates.”

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