Havering Council has secured funding to carry out a detailed assessment of the historic buildings at Bretons Outdoor Centre.
The £48,431 grant from Historic England, which will be match-funded by the Council’s capital works programme, provides an exciting step towards breathing new life into the much-loved local site.
The project will deliver both an appraisal and condition survey of the Bretons site to understand the current state of the buildings and explore how they can be creatively and sustainably reused.
Bretons Outdoor Centre is home to a historic manor house, stables, barns and a walled garden.
The Grade II listed 17th century house is currently used as a community hall and nursery and a Grade II listed 16th century barn hosts table tennis and archery; however, various other buildings and areas have fallen out of use and are inaccessible.
This funding aims to unlock the site’s full potential for cultural, educational and wellbeing activities that benefit the whole community.
The work will include:
- a full site assessment of the historic buildings
- consultation with local stakeholders
- evaluation of future development options
- a strategy for the site’s longer-term management, funding and maintenance.
By laying the groundwork for a heritage-led regeneration plan, the project also supports Historic England’s efforts to use historic buildings and landscapes to reduce loneliness, support mental health, and engage people of all ages to feel proud of the place they live.
Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said:
"This funding is a fantastic opportunity to protect and celebrate the rich heritage at Bretons.
“By working with the community and Historic England, we’re building a strong foundation for regeneration of the site that will benefit generations to come.
“I would like to thank Historic England for supporting this significant and exciting venture.”
Hannah Parham, Head of Partnerships, Historic England, said:
“Bretons is a fascinating collection of buildings that has lots of untapped potential.
“We’re excited to be working closely with Havering Council on this initial phase of work, paving the way for further investment and renewal of this much-loved historic place to maximise its use for the benefit of the community.”
The condition survey will also help identify urgent repairs and allow the Council to take action to protect the most vulnerable parts of the site.
This ensures a safe and sustainable future for Bretons, while preserving its unique character.
Although this phase will not include major repairs, it is a vital first step in planning for long-term improvements.
To support Havering’s cultural strategy ‘A Good Life’, Historic England has also funded a Council Heritage Project Officer role to lead the development and preservation of Havering’s historic buildings and cultural heritage.
The role is key to engaging communities and partners, to secure funding and enable further heritage activities.