Grenfell fire: Property protest planned in Holland Park at building being transformed into luxury apartments

Protesters demanding social housing in North Kensington in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster will demonstrate outside a property in Holland Park on Thursday (August 10).

It takes place at Duke’s Lodge in Holland Park, a building organisers say is currently owned by billionaire property developers the Candy brothers.

It is being transforming into luxury villas after developers successfully overturning a decision by Kensington and Chelsea Council made in 2015 to refuse plans to build 24 residential apartments.

Organisers of the protest, which begins at 1pm, say: “In light of recent events this can’t be allowed to go ahead."

Under the proposals the apartment building will be formed from a terrace of five interlinked villas to provide the residential apartments.

The number of unoccupied and expensive properties within the borough has come under the spotlight following the Grenfell tragedy, with most of the families left homeless by the disaster still waiting to move into permanent accommodation.

Calls have also been made for the council to buy property using savings built up in its coffers over the years.

Kensington and Chelsea Council said the proposal would harm the living condition of nearby residents when turning down the application.

It also said the development would involve excessive excavation and result in a loss of open space and trees nearby Holland Park Conservation Area.

The plan also failed to preserve the character and appearance of the Holland Park and Kensington Conservation Areas, according to council planners.

However, the council's was overturned on appeal.

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