Broomfield Park campaigners have slammed contacts between brewing giants Bass and Enfield Council over the future of Broomfield House.

But they said they were confident the company's interest would be shortlived when it discovered why its rival, Whitbread, pulled out of a plan to turn the historic pile into a pub restaurant.

Last week the Independent exclusively revealed how Bass Leisure Retail approached the council to enquire about the building in Broomfield Park.

A spokeswoman for Broomfield Estate Action Group said: "We're surprised the council is even considering this, especially after strong opposition from Enfield residents.

But once Bass is fully aware of the reasons why Whitbread withdrew, we are fully confident that they will lose interest immediately."

The spokeswoman was referring to the discovery of ancients covenants protecting the park which could allow park users to claim compensation if a development went ahead.

When Whitbread pulled out, it cited financial reasons, saying cost factors nad trading constraints made the site commercially unviable.

She added that residents still back restoring the house and giving it a community use which could be funded with National Lottery money.

"We look forward to working with the council, which we hope will put all its efforts and energy into a lottery bid," she said.

A spokesman for Bass Leisure Retail said that talks between the company and the council are still at "a very early stage."

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