Some survivors and relatives are outraged at the news that the remains of the tower are to be torn down
The Grenfell Tower demolition will see the remaining skeleton of the building reduced to ground level.
The deputy prime minister confirmed in a meeting yesterday that the plan is to demolish the tower, and is expected to make a public announcement tomorrow.
Many want the tower to remain as a memorial
Still others wished for it to be demolished and a new memorial erected in its place.
The issue of whether the tower should be demolished or not has been in debate for years since the fire took place in 2017, killing 72 people.
Grenfell United is an organisation devoted to survivors and bereaved family members of the victims of the fire. A spokesperson of Grenfell United said: “Today’s meeting showed just how upset bereaved and survivors are about not having their views heard or considered in this decision.
“Angela Rayner could not give a reason for her decision to demolish the tower.
“She refused to confirm how many bereaved and survivors had been spoken to in the recent, short four-week consultation.
“But judging from the room alone – the vast majority of whom were bereaved – no one supported her decision. But she claims her decision is based on our views.”
Grenfell Next of Kin is another organisation that works to support bereaved family members, a member of which said: “The deputy prime minister was very clear that she has taken this decision very seriously, that it is a serious responsibility and that it is a very sensitive decision to make, but it is one that she felt she had to make.”
The Grenfell Tower demolition will not affect memorial plans
Last month, a shortlist of five design teams for a Grenfell Tower Memorial was created. The commission for the memorial design team began in July of 2023 with 28 applicant teams.
The five teams, consisting of architects and landscape architects, community engagement specialists, and specialists from other disciplines, will now engage with the community around Grenfell, including survivors and bereaved families, and need to demonstrate their expertise to come up with their final designs.
In September of last year, the last phase of the Grenfell inquiry was published. The report found that failings were systemic throughout the ordeal, and at almost every stage from the installation of the combustible cladding and insulation to the fire brigade’s response to the outbreak.
The report placed blame on “the government, the tenant management organisation the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, those who manufactured and supplied the materials used in the refurbishment, those who certified their suitability for use on high rise buildings, the architect, the principal contractor and some of its subcontractors, some of the consultants, the local authorities’ building control department and the London fire brigade.”
Dave Seed, managing director at Qube Residential, said: “The Grenfell Tower fire was one of the worst atrocities in British history. The Grenfell Inquiry revealed accounts of interactions plagued by “distrust, dislike, personal antagonism, and anger,” highlighting a devastating failure in communication that left residents feeling ignored and devalued. As the tower today is set to be demolished, we are reminded that such a tragedy must never happen again.
“The causes of the fire run deep, highlighting systemic failings in fire safety standards and risk management. From the absence of evacuation plans for residents with disabilities to ignored fire safety complaints and unactioned risk assessments, the failures were profound.
“Property management companies have a crucial role to play in preventing such disasters. With the introduction of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022, we must act decisively. That means ensuring buildings are designed to be as fire-safe as possible, identifying fire hazards through rigorous risk assessments, and implementing effective fire detection systems. Most importantly, we must prioritise the safety of vulnerable residents, advising local services on their locations and ensuring clear, actionable evacuation plans.
“The lessons from Grenfell must never be forgotten. It is our duty as property managers to go beyond compliance – reviewing, updating, and improving safety measures continuously to protect the lives of those who call our buildings home.”
