A residents’ group which helps preserve the character of Palmers Green’s Edwardian heritage is seeking new members.
If Palmers Green is a “Jewel in the North”, one of the main reasons is its beautiful Edwardian housing stock, and the area with the richest collection of such houses is the Lakes Estate, which experts have rightly referred to as “the quintessence of middle-class Edwardian suburbia". In 2010 it received official recognition with the setting up of the Lakes Estate Conservation Area, the purpose of which is to prevent changes to houses and streets that would threaten the Estate’s unique character.
The LCASG or “Friends of the Lakes Estate Conservation Area” is a residents’ group which works in conjunction with Enfield Council to preserve and enhance the Estate’s character. Members of LCASG (which stands for Lakes Estate Conservation Area Study Group) help the Council decide whether or not proposed alterations to buildings, front gardens and vegetation are compatible with the conservation area principles.
The Lakes Estate Conservation Area is the area stretching from Palmers Green Station along Aldermans Hill as far as Ulleswater Road and taking in all the roads off to the north as far as, and including, Fox Lane. It also includes one road on the other side of Aldermans Hill – Broomfield Avenue. Most of the buildings in the Conservation Area were built in a short period, between 1905 and 1914, giving the streets and houses a coherent and consistent feel. However, the overall effect isn’t monotonous because of the variety of decorative elements incorporated into the houses.
LCASG has its own pages on this website, describing what’s special about the Lakes Estate, what kind of changes are a threat to its character and how the existence of the Conservation Area affects the rights of homeowners. Discussion of applications for planning permission is largely done online, using a private web forum.
If you’re interested in becoming a “Friend of the Conservation Area”, you can read more about how it operates here and use our contact page to get in touch.
