The UK’s deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has announced that Grenfell Tower is to be demolished, prompting concerns that the government has “ignored the voices of bereaved”.

The decision follows years of debate over the fate of the 24-storey block in west London after a devastating fire tore through it in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people.

While a date for the demolition has not been confirmed, Rayner attended a meeting with survivors and families of victims earlier this week to announce that the tower’s burnt-out shell would be dismantled to ground level.

The government is expected to reveal more information tomorrow, but it has previously assured the bereaved families there would be no changes to the structure before the eighth anniversary of the disaster.

While there were some calls for the tower to be replaced or partially dismantled, many survivors and bereaved relatives hoped that the tower could remain in place permanently as a reminder of the tragedy.

Grenfell United labels decision “disgraceful and unforgivable”

In a statement published on Instagram, the Grenfell United campaign group that represents some of the survivors, said that “no one” in attendance supported the decision.

“Today’s meeting showed just how upset bereaved and survivors are about not having their views heard or considered in this decision,” Grenfell United said.

“Ignoring the voices of bereaved on the future of our loved ones’ gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable.”

The UK government had previously expressed its intentions to demolish the tower in 2021 after it commissioned a safety report. However, the decision was not officially confirmed.

Grenfell United believes the decision ignores “the voices of bereaved”

Today, all that remains of Grenfell Tower is the shell that stood after the fire. It has since been wrapped in a covering emblazoned with a large green heart – a symbol widely used to remember those affected by the tragedy.

The fire was started by a malfunctioning fridge-freezer but rapidly spread across the 67-metre-high block via its flammable exterior cladding.

Rayner’s meeting with affected families this week followed the public inquiry into the fire, which concluded in September.

The inquiry found that the disaster was the result of multiple failures by the government and the construction industry.

Memorial to be built close to Grenfell Tower

Within the 1,700-page report, it was stated that London-based Studio E – the architecture studio that refurbished Grenfell Tower – “bears a very significant degree of responsibility for the disaster”.

The studio had specified zinc cladding for the project that was later swapped for a deadly aluminium composite material (ACM) product.

Though this decision was made by the client, Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) to reduce costs, the inquiry concluded that it was the architect’s responsibility to check that the material complied with building regulations.

In an opinion piece for Dezeen, expert witness Paul Hyett said the findings should serve as a stark warning to architects to ensure they fully understand their contractual responsibilities.

Running alongside the inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been developing plans for a permanent memorial close to the tower.

Last month, a shortlist of five potential architecture studios was revealed, including Freehaus and Office Sian. The winner is due to be revealed later this year by The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

“We have given our word, from the outset, that the voices of the entire Grenfell community must take priority in the memorial decision-making process, both now and in the future,” said co-chairs of the commission Thelma Stober and Paul Boateng.

“We hope that bereaved families, survivors and those living close to Grenfell Tower will feel able to participate in the selection of a design team and, later on, contribute to the co-design of the memorial, in whichever way feels appropriate and meaningful for them.”

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