It was confirmed today that Enfield Council has received a confirmed grant of £1.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Forty Hall Park Project. The proposals for Forty Hall Park aim to restore and enhance the main elements within the historic landscape, revealing the site of Elsyng Palace, the Pleasure Grounds and a section of the Ferme Ornée.
Improvements to access, planting, site furniture and ongoing landscape management together with a new natural playground and bridge across Maidens Brook, will improve not only the visual appearance of the park, but also the experience for local residents and visitors alike.
An educational and activity programme will also be implemented and will be managed through a Conservation and Learning Officer post funded by the HLF for 5 years, with opportunities for volunteers, training/educational courses/workshops, and learning new skills.
The project will carry out essential conservation work, and provide a suitable setting to complement Forty Hall that is currently undergoing a £4.5m refurbishment again courtesy of the HLF, due to open in the Spring / Summer of 2012.
Chris Bond, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “We were delighted to hear the news that the HLF has agreed to fund these essential works for Forty Hall Park. “This beautiful open green space is enjoyed by many visitors every year, and it is wonderful that we can improve it even further.”
Wesley Kerr, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “Forty Hall Park is one of the most distinctive and historic landscapes in London – the former site of a Tudor royal palace, with a surviving 18th-century Pleasure Garden, majestic trees, a lake and watercourses – all supporting a huge range of biodiversity.
The Park will be restored, enhanced and made more accessible for everyone to enjoy, and the Borough will work closely with Capel Manor College to make keep this as a model landscape and improve maintenance.
This project complement HLF’s ongoing £2 million investment in restoring Forty Hall itself and at the newly- restored Myddleton House Gardens next door. We are proud to be enabling the most extensive series of park recreations since Victorian times.
The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life.
In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150m. Over the period 2006-9, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) invested up to £80m (in England only) with £70m coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
HLF is continuing to fund public park projects in 2011/12 with an investment of £20m each year. The next closing date for applications is 28 February 2012. Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy.
From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7billion across the UK. For further information, please contact: Suzanne Linsey – 020 8379 4470