The site of Grenfell Tower is likely be turned into a memorial to those who lost their lives in last year’s fire, after the council said it would put the community at the heart of decisions over its future and had no other plans for the site.

A document outlining a set of written principles states: “The common assumption is that the consultation will lead towards agreement on a fitting memorial to remember those who lost their lives; and a request for 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.

“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.”

Shahin Sadafi, the chair of the survivors’ group Grenfell United, said the future of the site had been a major source of anxiety for the bereaved, survivors and local community.

“We are pleased that eight months on from the fire we finally have agreement that the bereaved, survivors and community will be at the heart of deciding the legacy of the site,” he said. “We hope working together to create a fitting memorial will be part of a healing process for everyone affected.

“The government and Kensington and Chelsea council have treated this issue with dignity and respect. We can only hope the government applies the same seriousness to our need for truth and justice at the inquiry, this includes listening to our requests for changes to ensure a thorough inquiry.

“Our door will always be open for genuine cooperation on substantive issues.”

Sajid Javid, the secretary of state for housing, said he was pleased the government and council had confirmed there were no existing plans for the site, as it was fundamental to rebuilding the community’s trust. “This public commitment is a demonstration of us being true to that word and I am pleased we have been able to agree a way forward,” he said.

Last week, Downing Street defended the prime minister after comments from Stormzy at the 2018 Brit awards. The south London MC attacked Theresa May for her response to the fire.

The prime minister’s spokesman said the government had committed millions of pounds to the community in the aftermath of the blaze at the west London tower block in June 2017.

The tower will be demolished after forensic teams finish their work, which is unlikely to happen before the end of 2018. In October, work began to cover the tower in white sheeting to shield it from public view.



Alan Everett, the vicar of nearby St Clement’s church, told the Guardian at the end of last year that the psychological damage of seeing the tower was extreme. “Residents have the daily trauma of seeing the tower standing in their midst,” he said. “It’s the first thing some people see when pulling up their kitchen blind in the morning; children are walking past it every day on their way to school. It will be a massive relief when it comes down, and then we can take time to decide what to do with the site.”



The death toll from the fire rose to 72 this week, after Maria del Pilar Burton, a 74-year-old who was rescued from the 19th floor of the tower, died in hospital.