Canalside House: A North Kensington Community Lifeline Under Threat
A Community Takes Root
By the 1980s, Canalside House was buzzing with activity. Owned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), it housed the Kensington & Chelsea Social Council, along with various local charities and carnival groups. The building gradually became a cornerstone of North Kensington, a space where residents could access vital services, connect with one another, and celebrate their shared heritage.
Canalside House truly embodied the spirit of community. It hosted a diverse range of organizations, from representatives of local African communities to housing cooperatives, care organizations, and mental health charities. It was a place where the seeds of social good were sown and nurtured.
Despite its undeniable importance, RBKC, the very entity entrusted with its care, has repeatedly demonstrated a profound lack of understanding and appreciation for Canalside House and its role in the community. This disregard has manifested in various forms, from neglect to outright deceit, culminating in a persistent effort to offload the building to property developers, Ballymore as part of their proposal to develop Kensal Canalside, despite RBKC’s own Planning officers confirming that demolition of Canalside House is not necessary for Ballymore’s scheme on Kensal Canalside to go ahead.
Neglect and Managed Decline:
- RBKC has consistently neglected the building’s upkeep, allowing it to fall into disrepair. This included refusing a £100,000 grant from the Tudor Trust, secured by the resident organizations to install a lift for disabled access.
- This neglect was not simply an oversight but a deliberate strategy of “managed decline”, intended to devalue the property and justify its sale.
Disregarding their own 12 Principles of Good Governance:
- In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, RBKC commissioned a review that produced the “12 Principles of Good Governance,” which centred on community engagement and consultation.
- Despite adopting these principles into official policies, including the Grenfell Recovery Strategy, RBKC has blatantly disregarded them in their dealings with Canalside House.
- None of the 12 principles, which emphasize transparency, accountability, and community involvement, have been honoured in RBKC’s pursuit of selling Canalside House
Deceit and Lack of Transparency:
- RBKC has engaged in secretive dealings to push through the sale of Canalside House, bypassing democratic processes and excluding the community from decision-making.
- They have adjusted boundary maps and manipulated information to present a misleading narrative, suggesting that the demolition of Canalside House is necessary for the Kensal Canalside development aka ‘Project Flourish’, even though planning officers confirmed its demolition was unnecessary.
- RBKC has attempted to minimize the number of organizations at Canalside House before the deal is finalized demonstrate a callous disregard for the community’s needs.
- This lack of transparency and disregard for truthful communication further highlights RBKC’s deceitful approach to offloading this vital community asset.
Community loses out
- While Ballymore have said they would provide some alternative premises elsewhere on the “Project Flourish site , this would take years, leaving Canalside community organisations and charities without any appropriate space provided in the meantime, leaving some organisations with an uncertain future and residents losing out.
- Ballymore’s proposed replacement building would be located inside the development, serving potentially thousands more extra residents, and there is no guarantee that all the organisations currently at Canalside would be housed at the replacement building. There is no guarantee that international multimillion property developer Ballymore will not increase rents and service charges.
The Fight Continues
The community’s fight to save Canalside House continues. Despite facing a powerful and well-resourced local authority, the resident organizations, with the support of local activists and concerned residents, are determined to protect this vital community asset.
The story of Canalside House is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about the heart of a community. It is a story of resilience, determination, and the fight for social justice. It is a story that demands to be heard.