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cgi of proposed mixed development at site of former cock in palmers greenThe planning application for redevelopment of the site of the former Cock Inn envisages 54 flats accommodated in three blocks. The proposals would retain the former pub building, but dwarfed by the new construction and rebuilt incorporating two of the original facades and reduced to its original 1885 dimensions; the supermarket would occupy the ground floor, while the first floor would accommodate a restaurant.

A planning application for the construction of a mixed retail/housing development incorporating 54 homes at a key site in Palmers Green was submitted last month, but the documentation submitted with the application reveals that the developers have been in dialogue with council planning officers since at least 2016, in the course of which their proposals went through a process of evolution.

The summary description of application reference 21/01230/FUL relating to 88 Green Lanes N13 5UP gives little clue to its significance:

Redevelopment of site and erection of a part 3, 8 and 12 storey buildings comprising retail and restaurant on ground and first floor level and residential on upper floors together with basement car parking and associated works.

Probably few people would recognise 88 Green Lanes as the address of the TFC (Turkish Food Centre) supermarket which occupies the north-east corner of one of Palmers Green's key road junctions - that between Green Lanes and the North Circular Road. But very many will know that the supermarket is housed in what was until a decade ago a local (though latterly rather unloved) landmark - a pub with a history going back several centuries and known for most of that time at the Cock Inn.

postcard of cock palmers green pre 1885The original Cock Inn, which survived until 1885, may have dated back to the 15th century

The Cock that we remember was built in the late 19th century, when it replaced an inn of the same name housed in a timber-framed former farmhouse. The inn goes back to at least 1611, but possibly as far back as the 16th or even the 15th century (the documentation for the planning application includes interesting historical information, including pictures and maps). The square plan 1885 building was extended to the south in the 1930s. In the 1970s the Cock was advertising itself as North London's Premier Home of Entertainment, but from the 1980s on it went through a series of changes of name and theme until its last manifestation - a Polish sports bar - closed in 2009 and it was subsequently converted for its new role as a food outlet with restaurant attached.

postcard of cock palmers green 1910The rebuilt Cock in 1910, with the centuries-old stables and outbuildings still in situ. The developers propose to rebuild the former pub to its 1885 footprint, without the extension to the south that was added in the 1930s.

As well as having deep historical roots, the Cock was significant as one of PG's very few pubs and because it was a large building at an important road intersection - the North Circular Road's Clockhouse Junction (named after the building on the south-eastern corner). It was one of the last to survive out of several large pubs along the North Circular, outliving the Crooked Billet, Cooks Ferry Inn, Cambridge, Green Man, Manor Cottage and others that I've forgotten or never knew about - all of them demolished in the vain hope of abolishing congestion on the North Circ.

However, when both the original and the 1880s Cock were built they were not situated at a particularly important road junction. While a lane going west - the predecessor of the Bowes Road section of the A406 - had been there for a long time, the inn was not situated as a crossroads as there was no road going off to the east until the North Circular was built in the 1930s.

Links

Planning application on the Enfield planning portal (The Design and Access Statement outlines the proposals and their evolution. The three-part Heritage Reports summarise the site's history, with old maps and photographs, and discuss the site from a heritage perspective.)

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Michele Welch posted a reply
03 Jun 2021 07:39
Whilst the site is crying out to be modernised. Building so many flats will have a detrimental effect on the area. With up to 12 storeys high neighboring houses and gardens will be overlooked with this monstrosity on the horizon blocking out any privacy and sunlight from their homes. With the plan to also include shops, Where do they propose customers to park? Providing they can let them. Across the road by Elmdale Road a block with flats was build a few years back, All but one of those shops have remained empty. I see from the plans that an underground car park is proposed, This will be a muggers paradise and how big would it need to be to accommodate 52 flats bearing in mind most homes today have at least two cars. This is before you take into consideration the busy NCR with vehicles wizzing past day and night together with all the pollution
52 fIats + shops etc would generate a huge amount of extra rubbish, Enfield coucil cannot control and have cut down the boroughs waste collections.
I feel such a huge development would have a detrimental effect on the plot and see this as nothing more than a money making exercise by the current owners. I don't know anyone whom I've spoken to in the area that thinks this should not be allowed to go ahead.
Adrian Day posted a reply
03 Jun 2021 09:24
This looks like a good site for much needed housing - if we are to protect our countryside and meet the GLA’s demanding housing targets then it’s imperative brownfield sites are used. In the future two car households arent sustainable and the bus service here is excellent - coupled with the north bound cycle lane. I agree the height should not impede others homes but at least it’s in a valley.
Karl Brown posted a reply
03 Jun 2021 15:46
It would be nice to get the John Lennon statue back as part of any redevelopment. Replanted on top of the 12 story block and up lit it would be decent stab at a local Angel of the North; perhaps John of the North Circular on a Long and Winding Road, a peaceful reminder to all who pass as he stares over into the ULEZ.
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