Grenfell Tower survivors told they can transform charred block into memorial of their choice

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have been told they will be able to decide what kind of memorial should be placed at the foot of the decimated block after it is demolished.

Nine months on from the tragedy, the Government confirmed members of the local community in west London’s north Kensington will be able to “guide the way future decisions are made” about the tower, with the “common assumption” being the site will be transformed into a “fitting memorial”.

It is the first commitment of its kind to those directly impacted by the blaze that claimed 71 lives in June.

It is not yet clear what form the memorial will take, but survivor advocacy groups said it was a relief to know they would be able to decide.

Shahin Sadafi, chair of Grenfell United, said he was pleased the issue was being treated with “dignity and respect”.

“The future of Grenfell Tower site has been a major source of anxiety for the bereaved, survivors and local community not least because it is the final resting place of the loved ones we lost in the fire,” he said.

“We are pleased that 8 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. 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.”

The tower will likely be demolished once forensic work inside the block is completed. However, this is unlikely to be before October 2018.

The Government said the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) would ensure any necessary work to guarantee the site’s legacy would be fulfilled “so that the area becomes a place where the tragedy can be remembered and the local community thrives.”

It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan offered his support to change the name of the Latimer Road underground station to Grenfell station in memory of the victims.

“I’ve agreed to make sure that we start consultation as soon as possible to rename this station as a fitting tribute,” he told LBC radio.

“It’s really important that we remember the awful fire, but also those fantastic residents that campaigned so hard since the fire to make sure that justice is done.”