Published: Monday 9 August 2021
The Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime has informed the Council that it intends to sell Notting Hill Police Station.
The police station has been designated as an asset of community value (ACV), nominated by the Kensington Society. This means the Council has recognised it as a building that furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.
Whilst police use of the building will be lost in a sale, the Council’s Local Plan offers protection for the building, making sure any future use benefits the community. If a new owner wanted to change the use of the building, they would need to apply for planning permission.
Community interest groups have until Friday 10 September submit an expression of interest to buy the building.
At its June Full Council meeting, Kensington and Chelsea Council passed a motion to call on the Mayor of London and Mayor’s Office of Police and Crime to end the uncertainty about the future of its police stations in the north of the borough at Ladbroke Grove and Royalty Studios, and fully commit to long-term site sites, providing much needed reassurance for residents.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead member for Planning, said:
“This proposed sale of Notting Hill Police Station is bitterly disappointing. Residents made it very clear they want reassurances on local policing in North Kensington and councillors of all parties have been united in their backing of the community on this issue.
“We have already declared the space as an asset of community value and our local planning policies help keep social and community uses of the building in the future. I am behind every attempt to keep this space for the benefit of our residents.”
If the Kensington Society or another community organisation lodges an expression of interest, a six-month moratorium period will begin from the date the notification was received to prevent the sale of the building and give time to prepare and raise money to bid for the property. The owner may continue to market and pursue the sale of the asset but can only sell it to appropriate community interest group before the 6 month moratorium period is over. After the moratorium period has passed, the owner can choose to sell to any buyer.