Grenfell Early Years Consultation

A new home for Grenfell Early Years

Questions and Answers

Who is organising the consultation?

The consultation is being organised and led by the wider nursery team and its umbrella organisation Lancaster West Children’s Community Network (LWCCN). They are supported by members of the architectural team at Penoyre & Prasad, and by Fluid who are organising the consultation, along with members of the Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team, Family and Children’s Services and Capital Projects teams of RBKC.

How can I provide comments?

You provide comments and feedback on our Grenfell Early Years Consultation feedback webpage, or email us at: [email protected].

The closing date for providing us with your feedback is Friday 7 August 2020.

What is the aim of the process?

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there was clear recognition of the need to make real improvements around the estate. With that in mind, both local and central Government have committed funding to support an ambitious and resident-led refurbishment of the estate. A new fit for purpose nursery would help Lancaster West become a model estate for the 21st century. 

Why does the nursery want to stay here?

Available sites are few and far between in the area but we did explore three other sites – the Tenants’ Resource Centre, a site within the St Francis of Assisi school site, and space within the Leisure Centre. For many reasons, and those outlined above, staying at the Ilys Booker Centre was deemed the most advantageous.

Would there be any demolition?

No. The Ilys Booker Centre will be refurbished to provide the high-quality facilities that the children deserve. The improvements will include a small single-story extension to the front.

Would there be a loss of green space?

The outdoor play area will be extended to include the underused area to the front of Lower Clarendon Walk. This will provide a wide range of outdoor play spaces for the children including an ecology zone, play equipment and an outdoor learning space. It will increase the natural biodiversity of the area with green roofs and planting.

Would the nursery incease noise levels?

As part of the consultation and formal planning process, noise levels to do with any construction, and noise levels resulting from the use of the nursery will need to be factored in and approved. At early design stage, noise assessments would be undertaken to understand the general current level of noise at the site and in the area, and work done to forecast noise impacts both from construction, and the use of the nursery. Design of the building and the works and equipment required to build the nursery would be undertaken to reduce any noise levels, and the project would need to adhere to any planning or statutory requirements.

Would residents be expected to pay for this redevelopment work?

The Council has made a commitment to cover the building and related costs of re-provision of nursery services to a new location.

When would the work happen?

The project is at early stages and the team is keen to get feedback from residents and stakeholders before more detailed design work is carried out. Once this feedback has been gathered, further design work will be undertaken, with the intention to submit a planning application to the Local Planning Authority in Summer 2020. The team’s target for construction work on site is Spring 2021 onwards, with work expected to take approximately 6 months.

The team will be working closely with members of the Lancaster West Estate Neighbourhood team to understand how the nursery work could be delivered, while the wider Estate improvements get underway. The team is committed to ensuring a co-ordinated approach and that the sequencing of works are undertaken to minimise disruption to residents, and to maximise the benefits for the longer-term and the wider community.

What about the drop-in?

We would like to carry out further engagement during Summer 2020 to discuss the emerging plans for the drop-in service.