Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Dawson on July 16, 2011 at 0:44

You are absolutely right, Tom.  The old building looks as if it was about as ugly as you could ever wish an old building to be.  The current scaffolding etc is only slightly worse. 

 

I recall a few years ago that a pub chain was willing to re-develop the building, but this did not go ahead, partly due to local opposition.  Frankly, I think most of this opposition was from people who live near the park and who were worried - probably completely unnecessarily - that the new development would reduce the value of their houses.  It was always optimistic to expect a public sector solution to this problem and can anyone really say that this is a high priority when the public finances are in such a mess?  In my view a lot of the people who moaned then would be quite happy for the old eyesore to remain there, when some sort of cafe would be welcomed by the vast majority. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kate Franzmann on July 16, 2011 at 16:49

I used to take my children to the clinic in Broomfield House just before the first fire. They are now all over 40 and have watched in despair as nothing happened year on year.  My personal view is that this shell shouldbe demolished and  a competition held to design a wonderful, new, modern iconic piece of architecture that fulfills the brief of a cafe/restaurant and perhaps a meeting room for local people.  Or whatever people want that can be afforded.    We could do with some cutting edge buildings in the area rather than, what in my opinion is simply pastiche building.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mandy Norman on July 22, 2011 at 9:28

Broomfield park is such a fantastic space. In an ideal world, the house would be amazing if it were restored, providing community facilities and a cafe too. However, I see that the plans were to build sheltered housing in that space and that using it for commercial use might not be allowed? Although sheltered housing is commendable, the house is in a park that is a public space paid by the tax payer and those who live around it, and so having a building that would provide both a community space and income running cafe would be much more viable surely? I'm liking Kate's idea for having a competition to design something new and iconic.

 

That park is screaming out for a lovely cafe and would be so used. Just look at Clissold Park in Hackney. They are restoring the building and cafe there - providing something useful for the park that is appropriate for the space it's in.

• ▶ Reply