Improving Broadwater Farm together
- Background
- Broadwater Farm estate is changing
- Planning application
- Project updates
- Mosaic Restoration
- Engagement framework
- Past engagement and consultation
- Broadwater Farm newsletters
- Improvement programme activities and information
Background
Broadwater Farm is an 18-hectare council-owned housing estate next to Lordship Recreation Ground. Inspired by Le Corbusier, construction was completed in the early 1970s and comprises a series of concrete blocks and towers.
In addition to over 1,000 homes, the estate includes the Broadwaters Inclusive Learning Community (external link) and the Broadwater Farm Community Centre Gym, the Church on the Farm and the Enterprise Units.
The estate is home to a diverse and strong community who know their estate the best and know what they would like to see improved. The Broadwater Farm estate improvement plans have been developed in partnership with residents, community groups and key stakeholders.
Broadwater Farm estate is changing
Haringey Council and Broadwater Farm residents are working together to improve Broadwater Farm estate to make it a better and safer place for the community to live, work and socialise.
We want to shape the future of Broadwater Farm Estate to be a safe, welcoming neighbourhood creating a lively place to be, ensuring quality homes that support the wonderful sense of community and create opportunities for residents to play, work and socialise through improved open spaces and facilities.
Haringey Council has been working closely with the Broadwater Farm community to develop plans for the largest estate-wide improvement programme in the estate’s history including building 294 new council homes for Broadwater Farm residents.
Tagmere and Northolt are being demolished due to structural problems. We will replace these blocks with brand new council homes for council tenants and will carry out improvements to other blocks on the estate to strengthen them and make sure they all meet modern fire and safety standards.
The council has also consulted with the 24 households in the Stapleford north wing as to whether this block should be demolished. 62% of residents in this block were supportive of this proposal and Stapleford north wing will also be demolished (in the future).
Together, we will bring about the most wide-reaching improvements to the estate since it was built over 50 years ago.
Visit the Broadwater Farm consultation and materials page (external link) on our engagement hub to view to read the Broadwater Farm Urban Design Framework document.
Planning application
On Monday 5 December 2022, the council’s planning committee resolved to grant permission for 294 new council homes on the estate and gave consent to relocate and restore the Grade II listed mural on Tangmere.
Tangmere and Northolt Blocks (including Stapleford North Wing), the Energy Centre, Medical Centre and Enterprise Centre buildings now have planning consent to be demolished and rebuilt.
All other blocks will be refurbished through the wider Broadwater Farm improvement programme.
Project Updates
New council homes
We're committed to bring about meaningful changes to the estate and delivering resident’s priorities.
In December 2022, the planning committee gave the green light to the designs for new council homes, marking a significant milestone in our mission. Unfortunately, we have been unable to agree on a final price with the appointed contractor. We are now starting procurement for a new contractor who we hope to have in place later this year.
There's still a lot of work planned for this year on the new homes project, which includes:
- A new road is on the horizon to accommodate the forthcoming homes near the Martlesham block.
- Preparations for the former Moselle school site include groundwork for the new foundations.
- The final stages of Tangmere's demolition are in progress, alongside the removal and restoration of the Grade II listed mural.
- Establishing a new sub-station and the laying of new cables for new homes.
Improving homes on the estate
Upcoming works to improve homes on the estate include:
- Fire safety works including new front doors and cross corridor fire doors for existing homes.
- Communal decoration works across the estate.
- Installing additional pigeon-proofing on blocks.
Supporting the community
We run a Repairs' Surgery where residents can meet Haringey staff and get help and support:
- Where: Broadwater Farm Medical Centre, 2a Willan Road, N17 6BF
- When: Every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm, with a Turkish interpreter available on the last Wednesday of the month.
If you’d like more information email bwf@haringey.gov.uk
Mosaic Restoration
"Equality-Harmony" Mural
The Grade II listed "Equality–Harmony" mural on Broadwater Farm, created by artist Gülsün Erbil in 1986-87, is a symbol of the resilient and diverse community.
As Tangmere block undergoes demolition and reconstruction for new council homes, the mural will be carefully removed, restored, and relocated within the estate. The 100-square-meter mosaic, London's largest external mural, features a world map and a rainbow at the top, symbolizing equality and harmony, with two hands playing the piano at the base.
The restoration, managed by conservation company DBR, involves sectioning the mural into 19 pieces, each weighing over 2 tonnes, followed by cleaning and repairs in a systematic conservationist approach. This ensures that "Equality–Harmony" will continue to inspire for years to come.
Consultation and engagement
The Council first started to engage with residents on what changes and improvement they would like to see on the estate in 2018.
Since then, we have worked together with residents through our engagement framework and ongoing consultations to ensure we are making the right improvements for everyone who lives, works and visits the estate.
This consultation and engagement includes:
- Resident surveys to find out how residents would like to engage with us and what their vision is for the future of the estate.
- Engagement booklets and exhibitions to present design scenarios and key priorities for the estate.
- Section 105 consultations to ask for feedback on ways to improve streets and open spaces, design proposals for new homes, use of communal terraces and drying rooms and more.
- Design proposal consultations to find out view on colour schemes and designs for the internal communal refurbishment of all blocks.
Visit the Broadwater Farm consultation and materials page (external link) on our engagement hub to view all Broadwater Farm's consultation and engagement materials.
Engagement framework
The council and independent tenant and leaseholder advisors, Newman Francis, have been working with the Broadwater Farm Resident’s Association to develop a new ‘engagement framework’ which sets out how the council plan to involve all residents in shaping the future of the estate.
The new framework will give residents opportunities to be involved in all aspects of the programme such as the new homes, refurbishment and improving our core services.
If you live on Broadwater Farm and would like to find out more or express an interest in joining the group, please contact curtis@newmanfrancis.org.
Broadwater Farm newsletters
Visit the Broadwater Farm newsletter archive (external link) on our engagement hub to read the latest summer 2024 issue and all previous newsletter issues.
Improvement programme activities and information
Visit the Broadwater Farm improvement programme activities and information page on our engagement hub for further information about the improvement programme works and activities. You can also visit our events calendar to find activities and events happening on the estate.