Hollybush House was badly damaged by the blaze last May, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Firefighters tackling the blaze at Hollybush House in May (credit Nick Jones)

Proposals to restore a Grade 2-listed home in Monken Hadley gutted by a fire earlier this year are moving forward.

While the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, the fire that took place at Hollybush House on 25th May caused a “large amount” of damage, with the interior and roof of the 18th Century house “almost entirely destroyed”. However, there were no reports of any injuries as it was vacant at the time.

Planning applications have now been submitted to Barnet Council to rebuild the property, which was already undergoing construction work at the time of the fire.

The documents state the loss of the interior and roof have “greatly diminished” the building’s heritage significance, which is now only found “primarily” in the external walls, which survived the fire and are “precariously supported” by scaffolding.

It is believed the fire started in one of the rooms in the house and “quickly spread to the roof”, with the only parts unaffected being the library and the garage. It was also noted the use of fire hydrants “exacerbated the damages”.

Architects Donald Insall Associates said: “Where the fabric has been totally destroyed it is only possible to recreate its original appearance.

“It is considered that the proposals for rebuilding the house after the disastrous fire will go as far as it is possible to restore the significance of the Grade 2 listed building and its contribution to the character and appearance of Mondken Hadley Conservation Area.”

Hollybush House, pictured before the fire (credit Google)

Stabilising the site is said to be an “immediate” priority, with plans including repairing “high-level” masonry, windows, doors and roofs, and reinstating the stairs and rooms.

More information on the scheme can be found via Barnet Council’s planning portal, using reference number 25/3271/LBC.

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