By James Simons-
Former residents of the Greensfield Tower will swap their doomed tower blocks for a new luxury complex at the heart of Kensington.
68 new flats in a Kensington High Street development where four bedroom apartments go for over £8m will be used to accommodate families after the huge blaze that destroyed the tower block last week. Purchased by the Corporation of London, the stunning homes are located in the of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, home to the wealthiest families in the country.
The opulent apartments have a 24 hour concierge, swimming pool, ,spa and private cinema. The homes are a mixture of 1 – 3 bedroom flats, and will be ready to be occupied between July and August. Extra construction staff has been supported by the development for Communities and Local Government who hope to get the luxurious flats ready for occupation sooner rather than later. The second phase of the Warwick Road Master plan, the deal was brokered by the Homes and Communities Agency on behalf of the government.
Since the fatal fire that claimed over 79 lives in one of North Kensington’s poorest areas, many of those left homeless have been sleeping rough or in hotels, with no immediate assurance about shelter to compensate their loss. The move is the least that can be done at this time, but is most commendable .London said: “We are ready to do everything we can to help the victims of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. We already provide council housing across seven London boroughs and are committed to delivering 3,700 new homes on sites across the capital.
“These plans are being discussed and agreed in principle as matter of urgency as part of the response by councils across London to support the team working on recovery efforts.”
One hundred and forty hotel placements have been made for people living in Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk, according to the official Grenfell response team.
“Work is now taking place to assess the housing needs of all Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk families to identify longer-term accommodation in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring borough,” a spokesperson said. “So far 110 assessments have been completed.”
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A spokesman for the Corporation of London said: “We are ready to do everything we can to help the victims of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. We already provide council housing across seven London boroughs and are committed to delivering 3,700 new homes on sites across the capital.
“These plans are being discussed and agreed in principle as matter of urgency as part of the response by councils across London to support the team working on recovery efforts.”
One hundred and forty hotel placements have been made for people living in Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk, according to the official Grenfell response team.
“Work is now taking place to assess the housing needs of all Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk families to identify longer-term accommodation in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring borough,” a spokesperson said. “So far 110 assessments have been completed.”
Interestingly , Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn recently called for luxury empty properties in Kensington to be taken over by the Government to house victims . Ministers did not concur with him, but somebody may have advanced on his idea in delivering this outcome.
The development is the second part of a £2 billion regeneration project called the Warwick Road Masterplan.
The deal was brokered by the Homes and Communities Agency on behalf of the government.