Devonshire Square: A new outdoor cultural and community space in the heart of Palmers Green

Devonshire Square is a new outdoor cultural and community space which has been designed in collaboration with local communities and responds to their aspirations and ambitions for Palmers Green. Construction on the Square will commence in early January 2025 and be completed by end of March 2025.

Since 2022, local communities have been testing out the versatility of this space through leading and delivering their own community events and activities. These include markets, outdoor dining, public art and play, and planting.

Residents, communities and businesses have participated in a range of consultation and engagement activities to inform the design and function of Devonshire Square. These include drop-in sessions where local communities fed-back and commented on designs and models, focused meetings with key stakeholders including Palmers Green Action Team, Arbeit Studios and local businesses, and a co-design workshop at Laurel Park School, where year 10 students drew cherished local landmarks and key moments in Palmers Green’s history.

Community Engagement in concept design for Devonshire Square, May 2024

Community feedback on ideas for Devonshire Square's design, March 2024

Student's drawing of Broomfield Orchard and resulting design for mosaic paving stone

Student’s designs will be incorporated into the Square, forming a central pathway of brick mosaics through Devonshire Square.

The outcome of these interactions is to create a Square which will:

• Be a collective space and foster a stronger sense of community
• Be welcoming, accessible and have a clear identity
• Introduce more greening and planting
• Accommodate a range of events and activities led by the local community

Key Elements of the Design

• A flexible, open and accessible space, connected to the high street, with clear signage that makes it easy to find
• Transforming 50 m2 of hard surface into new greening areas, using sustainable drainage systems and supporting local biodiversity
• Providing informal seating providing spaces to rest or connect with others
• Including mosaic artworks depicting key moments in Palmers Green’s history, co-designed with students from Laurel Park School
• Providing power supply to support a diversity of community-led events and activities to be delivered on the Square
• Accommodating a shared surface area with clear signage encouraging cyclists to reduce their speed and respect pedestrians
• Reusing/repurposing existing pavement and materials as much as possible.

Detailed Design of Devonshire Square: November 2024

Devonshire Square Timeline: From Concept to Delivery

Meanwhile Interventions on Devonshire Road

Community-led markets on Devonshire Road

Strut the Square Fashion Show, 2024

Strut the Square Fashion Show, 2024

• Spring - Summer 2022: Public engagement to explore improvements to Devonshire Road
• Autumn 2022: Implementation of a ‘meanwhile design’ creating a community space, temporary planters, street furniture and public art
• Late 2022 - current: Residents, businesses and communities delivered events and activities on the Square including markets, live music and al fresco dining
• Autumn 2023 - Spring 2024: Key stakeholders and community groups participated in a series of events and activities to develop the permanent design of the space including pop-up events at Community Markets and art Arbeit Studios; and a co-design workshop held with Laurel Park School
• November 2024: Design finalised
• 6 January 2025: Re-install the playground in Hazelwood Primary School for future generations to enjoy
• January - March 2025: Construction of Devonshire Square
• April 2025: Launch of Devonshire Square and a new Place Plan for Palmers Green
• May 2025 - ongoing: Ongoing programme of community-led events and activities delivered on Devonshire Square, Year 2 pupils of Hazelwood School help maintain the green areas