Memorial to victims of Grenfell
Locals will decide on site, not council
THE site of the Grenfell Tower tragedy looks set to be turned into a permanent memorial to the 71 dead.
And residents, survivors and the bereaved, not council chiefs, will have the final say on its future use.
The tower block in West London, destroyed by the inferno last June, is widely expected to be demolished – but it has not been decided what will happen next.
The “common assumption” is that there will be a “fitting memorial to remember those who lost their lives”, the government’s Housing Department said.
Those affected by the blaze will be “given a veto on all future decisions” and the local Latimer Road Tube station could be renamed in their honour.
A statement pledged: “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.” Shahin Sadafi, chair of the Grenfell United survivors’ group, said the decision showed “dignity and respect” for victims by the government. She added: “We hope working together to create a fitting memorial will be part of a healing process.” Kensington Labour MP Emma Dent Coad said locals had written to her with “sensitive and interesting” ideas, including for a memorial. She added: “The site’s future must be decided by those most affected, and neighbours who will live with their memories for ever.” Kensington and Chelsea Council has pledged to hand ownership to a “body represented by the bereaved and survivors” if that is their wish. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Only by listening to the community can we begin to rebuild trust. “This commitment is a demonstration of us being true to that word.”