Grenfell Tower Crown development application given approval
The Grenfell Tower Crown development application has today been given approval by the Planning Inspectorate.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and accepted for examination on 27 May 2026.
The development involves works to take down Grenfell Tower to ground level from its original height of 24 storeys, which commenced in September 2025 under permitted development rights.
The decision to approve was made following a written representations procedure, during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to make representations on the application.
The decision notice including a statement setting out the reasons for the decision can be found on the Crown Development Applications project page.
Notes to editors
The government has implemented two new routes by which Crown bodies can apply for planning permission for development on Crown land in England.
One Crown Development route allows planning applications for Crown developments which are considered of ‘national importance’ to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate directly instead of to local planning authorities.
Applications taken through this route are determined on the basis of their planning merits, with due consideration of local and national planning policy. Comprehensive engagement takes place with local communities and local planning authorities throughout the decision-making process.
This process is led by an independent Planning Inspector, or a panel of planning Inspectors, appointed by the Secretary of State.
Crown land is defined in section 293 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as land in which there is a Crown interest or a Duchy interest.
‘Crown interest’ is defined as an interest belonging to His Majesty in right of the Crown or in right of his private estates, an interest belonging to a government department or held in trust for His Majesty for the purposes of a government department, and such other interest as the Secretary of State specifies by order.
‘Duchy interest’ is defined as an interest belonging to His Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster or belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall.
Note: Applications for Crown Developments which are considered of ‘national importance’ and time sensitive and critical to national interests will be made directly to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government MHCLG.