The devastating aftermath of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire continues to unfold as the UK Government takes a crucial step towards completing its dismantling. A new planning application has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, seeking permission to finish the remaining "sensitive works" on the tower's structure – excluding its basement – after previous permitted development rights expired. This decision reflects a long-held concern of survivors and bereaved families who wished to distance Kensington and Chelsea Council from future decisions regarding the site.
The Crown Development Application, which will be decided by a Secretary of State rather than the local council, marks a deliberate attempt to maintain independence in the process. In a letter to Joe Powell MP for North Kensington, Local Government Minister Alison McGovern confirmed that a different minister would handle planning decisions to ensure this separation, while Minister Samantha Dixon remains responsible for the Grenfell community and tower.
The dismantling of the tower began in September 2023, with an anticipated completion date two years from then. Initial authorisation was granted under permitted development rules, which typically last 12 months. The new application seeks essential legal consent to proceed with these complex operations.
Key considerations alongside the primary goal of demolition include addressing environmental and community concerns. The MHCLG has outlined comprehensive measures: extensive dust monitoring and suppression, noise reduction through well-silenced equipment and vibration checks, protection for local wildlife using static bat detectors, floor-by-floor endoscope checks for potential bat roosts, and nesting bird checks in nearby trees.
This application is separate from future plans for a permanent memorial at the site. A community-led design for a memorial, submitted by architectural firm Freehaus later this year, represents another significant step towards the long-term future of Grenfell Tower's site and its affected community.