Guidance

Future of the Grenfell Tower site: principles governing forthcoming consultations

Published 1 March 2018

Definition meanings

I. Site: defined as the footprint of the Grenfell Tower and surrounding outer boundary, with the specific boundary to be agreed as part of the process. Any future decision will be respectful of and seek to maintain wherever possible, current usage types (e.g. playground, walkways, etc).

II. Future: the point from when the site is made available and assumed to mean cleared, prepared and made ready for any future use for the land.

III. Community: shall mean bereaved families, survivors and the immediate North Kensington community (specifically residents of the Lancaster West estate).

IV. Process: The government, and bereaved families will work together to agree a trusted and transparent process to enable representatives of the community to be at the heart of the consultation and future decision-making process.

Principles

1. As part of the process, the community will lead decision-making on what happens to the Grenfell Tower site in the future, with the voice of the bereaved carrying the most weight. In accordance with this weighting and subject to point 6, the bereaved shall have a veto on all future decisions, equivalent to a 50% representative vote.

2. The decision on what happens to the site in the future will not be led by the government or local authority, but in recognition of specific responsibilities lying with individual public authorities, all parties acknowledge the need for Kensington and Chelsea Council to remain involved in the consultation and process, acting in good faith to support community driven decisions (see point 6 for more detail).

3. The common assumption is that this consultation will lead towards agreement on a fitting memorial to remember those who lost their lives; and a request to Transport for London (TfL) for the renaming of Latimer Road Underground Station to commemorate Grenfell Tower which will require TfL’s processes to be followed in reaching a decision.

4. Kensington and Chelsea Council, supported by the government, clearly state that they have no plans for the site and that the future of the site will be determined by the community. As stated by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP; if the bereaved, the survivors and the local community do not want the site developed for housing, then the site will not be developed for housing.

5. The common assumption is that the process will lead to a commission inclusive of representatives from the community and public authorities, who subject to points 6 and 7, will be responsible for implementing the views of the community for the future of the site and help overcome any barriers.

6. Further to point 2, the process will respect the specific responsibilities of each relevant public authority, including Kensington and Chelsea Council’s decision making powers as the local authority and local planning authority for the area, its responsibility for the Lancaster West estate and as current site owner (subject to point 8).

7. Kensington and Chelsea Council will use the above powers in good faith to support the process and will not undermine or determine the process or future status/ownership of the site. Each public authority will advise the process in similar good faith as needed, including on the different possibilities, legalities and practicalities regarding the site, being clear about the parameters at the outset and throughout so that the local authority and community agree how to work through any constraints.

8. Kensington and Chelsea Council commits to transfer responsibility and ownership of the site (subject to points 6 and 7), to a body represented by the bereaved and survivors in good faith, if that is the will of the community. This is to happen (a) once an appropriate body, with capacity and resources, has been established; and (b) once the site is made ready for any future use for the site, but not necessarily beyond (to be agreed as part of the process).

9. Kensington and Chelsea Council will ensure that work on the future of the site is taken forward alongside work on the improvements to the Lancaster West estate, so that the area becomes a place where the tragedy can be remembered and the local community thrives. Kensington and Chelsea Council accepts that any future improvements to the Lancaster West estate will be sensitive to, and not negatively impact the site. Improvements will be discussed and agreed with the community in good faith, as part of this consultation and process.

Signatories

Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Elizabeth Campbell, Leader, Kensington and Chelsea Council

Grenfell United on behalf of survivors and bereaved families

Lancaster West Residents Association on behalf of local residents and community