![\"website\"](\"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/enfield_independent_260719-300x242.png\")
A listed building that was sold by the council seven years ago has been partly knocked down without permission.<\/h3>\nA listed building that was sold by the council seven years ago has been partly knocked down without permission.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The Enfield Independent<\/em> writes:<\/p>\n The Grade II-listed North Lodge on Whitewebbs Road was found to have been badly damaged last week, with plastic and other material dumped around the building.<\/p>\n Enfield Council has issued a stop notice to prevent further damage and an urgent works notice to protect the lodge.<\/p>\n Built in the 1850s in the Victorian Gothic style, the building served as a lodge house for the historic Whitewebbs estate.<\/p>\n It was Grade II listed in 1976 and later became a restaurant before being auctioned off by the council for \u00a3372,000 in 2012.<\/p>\n A survey carried out on the lodge in 2011 revealed it was in need of major repair work.<\/p>\n Development guidance drawn up by the council before the sale said the new owner of the lodge would face constraints on extending or developing the building because it lies within the green belt.<\/p>\n It added that while the lodge could be a \u2018unique and highly attractive residential property with extensive grounds\u2019, planning restrictions meant it was unlikely to be increased in size beyond the current two-bedroom home.<\/p>\n Janet McQueen, heritage at risk lead for the Enfield Society, described the damage as \u2018a loss for Enfield\u2019.<\/p>\n She said: \u2018The North Lodge has been in a very poor state of repair for several years.<\/p>\n \u2018There has obviously been some considerable dumping of plastic and soil within the property.<\/p>\n \u2018It is possible that the partial destruction at the back of the property was due to the lorries (carrying the waste). The front of the property is intact, which is obviously good.<\/p>\n \u2018We are extremely pleased with the way the council has responded by putting a temporary stop notice in, and they have now followed it up with an urgent works notice.\u2019<\/p>\n While the damage to the building mainly affects an addition towards the rear that was built in the early 20th Century, this is still covered by the Grade II listing.<\/p>\n The owner is said to be fully co-operating with the council. Local authorities can order owners to restore buildings to their previous condition if a breach of planning law is found to have taken place.<\/p>\n An Enfield Council spokesperson said: \u2018Following notification of the partial demolition of the property in question, Enfield Council served a temporary stop notice and an urgent works notice to make sure the remaining part of the listed building is given the necessary structural support and protection from the elements.<\/p>\n \u2018Work to make safe the Grade II-listed building and to remove the deposited material has already commenced.<\/p>\n \u2018The council will continue to monitor the situation and agree next steps towards its future restoration.\u2019<\/p>\n