Regular readers will know that Kensington & Chelsea Council (RBKC) has steadfastly refused to engage with residents and tenants regarding the future of one of our last remaining community spaces, Canalside House.

In 2022, RBKC concluded a secret deal with international property developer Ballymore, who will demolish the century-old building and replace it with a ‘green space’ next to the permanent traffic jam at the top of Ladbroke Grove. Since early 2023, local people and resident organisations have sought to engage with RBKC over the threat to the building, which fell outside the original plans for the Kensal Gasworks development, but was forced in, according to Ballymore, as a prerequisite for the whole deal.

All the groups currently using Canalside House are from the African Diaspora. The council chose not to speak with any of them until last month. Multiple attendees at the October meeting have confirmed to us that RBKC told the groups that the decision over demolition was “out of the council’s hands” and that a “full consultation” would follow “after the decision is made”.

Consultation after decision – is this RBKC’s specific policy for African community groups in North Kensington, or do they apply it to others too?

The planning decision will be made tonight. A protest is planned.

by Tom Charles @urbandandyldn