Published: Thursday 4 November 2021
Kensington and Chelsea Council is in discussions with Latymer Community Church and the charity Livability about providing a brand new and improved community church on its existing site on Bramley Road alongside new homes and community improvements.
The idea stemmed from the Latymer Community Church who are the long-term tenants, and Livability, which owns the Bramley Road site, who were both interested in providing an enhanced new facility on the site together with the Council.
The land is currently owned by Livability with the adjoining land owned by the Council. The proposal is for the Council to purchase the land from Livability and provide an improved community facility.
Alongside proposals for a new church facility, the slightly enlarged site could provide other local benefits including homes for social rent and key workers, as well as a permanent ‘Stay and Play’ nursery for local children, to house the former Grenfell Nursery which is temporarily located at The Curve.
Latymer Community Church is an established and valued facility that has provided a variety of services to the North Kensington community for nearly 160 years. It has drawn groups within the local community together, notably during and in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy. Its history dates back to 1862, when the ‘Latymer Mission’ was founded, moving to Blechynden Street before relocating to its present home on Bramley Road in the 1960s.
As well as its own church services, it has also housed other church and community groups of all ages and supported local organisations, youth groups and residents’ association events.
Simon Blanchflower, Chair of Latymer Christian Fellowship Trustees who are responsible for the management of the church, said:
“Our existing facility is now dated and presents constraints in terms of what the established local charity responsible for Latymer Community Church seeks to deliver. So, we are taking a collaborative approach to explore options for a new improved community church building on the existing site.
“We want to continue to play our part at the heart of the North Kensington community and look forward to working with local stakeholders and the Council to design a new facility that benefits the area.”
Other opportunities include potential improvements to the existing green spaces, garden and public outdoor areas adjacent to Westway and Whitstable House.
Local residents and community stakeholders will be able to have their say on the proposals and provide any ideas they may have. Formal consultation will start later this year.