The Kensington Society

Welcome to the website of the Kensington Society.

Formed in 1953, the Kensington Society strives to ensure that our part of London retains its magnificent heritage of buildings, parks and gardens alongside the best of contemporary architecture and design.

With more than 700 members and some 30 affiliated societies, we are very active in planning issues and exert a real influence on planning decisions in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Events

We also have a programme of lectures, talks, walks and visits, covering a wide range of subjects. The events offer the chance to meet your Kensington neighbours. All upcoming society events can be found here.

Annual report

Our annual report is produced in the spring and has both an update report on the activities of the society as well as interesting and topical articles relating to Kensington. The most recent annual report can be read here, and all annual reports since 1961 can be found in the society archive.

Newsletter

Our newsletter is produced in the autumn. The most recent newsletter can be read here, and all newsletters since 2006 can be found in the society archive.

Membership

The annual membership subscription is £15 and you can join here.

The news blog

News

Elizabeth Campbell’s speech

2017-07-24

At the first council meeting after the Grenfell disaster, the newly elected council leader Elizabeth Campbell pledged that the council would fundamentally change its culture and work much closer with community groups from now on. She announced that the council had secured 99 homes for the survivors from Grenfell Tower, and that they are trying to buy a further 20 that are for sale in North Kensington. She also promised that the future of the Grenfell Tower site will be decided together with the community.
We have the full speech.

An even more unbalanced cabinet

2017-07-21

On Wednesday evening, Elizabeth Campbell, the new council leader, announced her cabinet. It has three fewer members than the previous and it is, unfortunately, even more unbalanced in favour of Chelsea and the southernmost parts of Kensington.
Although 80% of the borough's population lives in Kensington, 70% of the cabinet members represent Chelsea wards, and there is only one cabinet member north of Old Brompton Road.

The week that was: 10 July - 16 July

2017-07-18

During the fourth full week after the Grenfell Tower fire, the Met announced that the starting point of their criminal investigation is that the fire was manslaughter; it was revealed that building certificates for the insulation state that it can only be used together with non-combustible panels; the names of those assisting the inquiry‘s chairman were announced; and the consultation period for determining the scope of the inquiry was extended to 28 July.

Latest planning news

Newcombe House appeal dismissed for lack of affordable housing

On 12 June 2017, the appeal against the council's refusal of the planning application for the large Newcombe House complex in Notting Hill Gate was refused by the Planning Inspectorate. The inspector did not have any problems with the design, size, height and location of the project, nor with its promised public benefits. But he rejected the appeal as he felt that it should be financially possible for the developer to compensate the loss of 20 affordable flats in Royston Court with a similar offering within the complex or at least within the borough.
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Frogmore's Notting Hill Gate plans approved

On Tuesday 8 November, the council’s planning committee approved developer Frogmore’s plans for refurbishment of the five office buildings in Notting Hill Gate. The committee added a condition about public realm contributions to each of the three applications, totalling £120,000, but otherwise accepted them as they were.
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