Project Flourish

Client: Ballymore

Borough: Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Date: 2021-present

Comm Comm UK is appointed by Ballymore in partnership with Sainsbury’s, to deliver the communication strategy for the Kensal Canalside Opportunity Area, also known as Project Flourish in Ladbroke Grove. The project launched in April 2021, consulting on plans to build 2,552 much-needed new homes, shops, workplaces, community spaces and a flagship new Sainsbury’s store.

We completed the first round of public consultation in July 2021, including an online digital survey Give My View, and the second round of public consultation in Autumn 2021. Design work and new plans have been developed over the past year, and the project relaunched in early 2023. We launched a new website to share developments with the local residents and Comm Comm conducted a series of community group meetings with local stakeholders to address their needs and concerns.

Kensal Canalside is the largest brownfield site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and has been identified by the Mayor of London as one of 48 Opportunity Areas within the London Plan 2021. It is an exciting project, bringing much needed investment to the area, but is sensitive due to its proximity to Grenfell Tower and has required specialist engagement with the local community.

A third round of public consultation was held in May-June 2023, held at an exhibition space at Camelot Studios on the perimeter of the site. The space was manned by the project team and open 3-days a week throughout May and June, giving local people ample opportunity to see the plans, chat to the team and raise questions and concerns.

The planning application was submitted in Spring and is expected to go to committee in late 2024. Comm Comm UK is continuing to promote the benefits of the scheme in the local community and working with our client to establish relationships with new political stakeholders post general election.