New Build Family Homes in Bush Hill Park, Enfield
Four New Build Family Homes within the Bush Hill Park Conservation Area
Planning Reference: 21/03370/FUL
Location: Bush Hill Park Bowls, Tennis and Social Club, Abbey Road, Enfield EN1 2QP
Status: Planning Approved
The redevelopment of this site within the Bush Hill Park Conservation Area involved the sensitive transformation of two disused tennis courts into four high-quality single-family dwellings. The scheme was carefully designed to respond to the surrounding historic character while delivering contemporary family homes that fully complied with local and London-wide planning policy.
The approved development successfully balanced conservation considerations, residential amenity, sustainability and transport requirements within a constrained and sensitive suburban setting. Planning permission was granted by Enfield Council in June 2023.
Project Overview
The proposal sought to redevelop an underutilised section of the Bush Hill Park Bowls, Tennis and Social Club site through the removal of two redundant tennis courts and the creation of four detached family dwellings with associated landscaping, refuse storage and cycle parking.
A key challenge of the project was achieving a form of development that respected the established character of the Bush Hill Park Conservation Area while introducing new homes that responded to modern living standards and environmental policy requirements.
The approved dwellings were designed with a strong emphasis on contextual architecture, material quality and carefully controlled detailing. Traditional red brickwork, painted timber windows, clay roof tiles and conservation-led detailing formed a central part of the approved design strategy.
Planning and Conservation Strategy
This development required a detailed planning and heritage-led design approach due to the site’s location within the Bush Hill Park Conservation Area.
Our planning strategy focused on:
Respecting the established suburban grain and rhythm of Abbey Road
Designing dwellings that reflected the architectural language of the surrounding conservation area
Managing overlooking and neighbouring amenity impacts through careful window positioning and design
Integrating soft landscaping and biodiversity enhancements throughout the site
Delivering sustainable drainage and environmental performance measures in accordance with London Plan policy
Ensuring the development sat comfortably within the streetscape while enhancing an underused part of the site
The approved scheme demonstrated that high-quality new build housing can be successfully integrated into sensitive conservation settings when supported by a robust contextual and policy-led design approach.
Architectural Approach
The architectural language of the scheme drew heavily from the character of surrounding homes within Bush Hill Park, while introducing a refined contemporary interpretation of traditional detailing.
The approved material palette included:
Flemish bond red brickwork with queen closers
Pebble-dashed render
Red clay roof tiles
Painted timber flush casement windows
Concealed services and integrated utility arrangements
These requirements formed part of the planning approval to preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area.
Particular attention was also given to the treatment of elevations, roof forms, landscaping and boundary conditions to ensure the development integrated naturally into its surroundings.
Sustainability and Technical Coordination
The development was designed to address a broad range of technical and environmental planning requirements, including:
Sustainable drainage (SuDS) strategy
Biodiversity enhancements
Energy performance requirements
Water efficiency standards
Construction management planning
Archaeological considerations
Cycle and refuse storage integration
The application was supported by a comprehensive package of technical reports and supporting documents, helping to demonstrate full policy compliance across both local and strategic planning frameworks.
Privacy and Residential Amenity
Protecting neighbouring privacy formed a critical part of the design process.
The approved scheme incorporated carefully positioned and controlled flank windows, including obscured glazing conditions where required, to ensure neighbouring residential amenity was preserved.
This formed part of a wider planning strategy that balanced efficient site use with sensitive contextual integration.
Outcome
Planning permission was successfully secured for four new family dwellings within the Bush Hill Park Conservation Area following a detailed design and planning process with Enfield Council.
The project demonstrates our ability to navigate complex planning and conservation constraints while delivering high-quality residential architecture that responds positively to its context.
Our Role
MSK Design led the planning, architectural and technical coordination of the project, including:
Planning strategy and application management
Conservation and contextual design development
Architectural design and CGI preparation
Coordination of supporting technical consultants
Preparation of planning drawings and supporting documentation
Management of planning negotiations and submission process