Published: Monday 20 September 2021
Expressions of interest from community groups have triggered a six-month halt on the sale of Notting Hill Police Station.
Three community groups have expressed an interest in buying Notting Hill Police Station, which has triggered a moratorium on the sale of the building. This means that the site cannot be sold to anyone other than an eligible community interest group in the first six months i.e. before 30 January 2022.
The Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime notified the council of its intention to sell the site on 30 July 2021. However the police station is designated as an asset of community value (ACV), nominated by the Kensington Society. This means the Council recognises it as a building that furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community. There are extra timelines built into the selling process for an ACV, to allow community groups to raise funds to bid for the property.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for planning said:
“It’s still disappointing that Notting Hill Police Station is up for sale, given how important community safety is to residents. Thankfully, the police station’s status as an Asset of Community Value has delayed the sale for six months, allowing the community time to raise funds and place a bid for the property.
“We are behind every attempt to keep this space for the benefit of the community and we have more safeguards in our Local Plan to help keep social and community uses of the building in the future.”
The owner may continue to market and pursue the sale of the asset but, until 30 January 2022, can only exchange contracts with an appropriate community interest groups. The community groups that that have expressed an interest are:
- Kensington Society
- Kensington Temple Church
- Age UK Kensington and Chelsea
Community safety is a council priority, investing over £500,000 in CCTV over the last year and developing a new strategy which includes plans for continued improvements to CCTV. The Council’s Community Wardens team works with enforcement officers and the police to tackle anti-social behaviour.