The GCC was the first and is now the only one of the ‘magnificent seven’ Victorian private cemeteries to remain owned and operated by its original entity.
Kensal Green Cemetery operates as an open cemetery, as well as running a crematorium on site (the West London Crematorium). The GCC business performs around 100 burials and 1,000 cremations each year. However, space for new burials is running out with capacity predicted to be another 1,000 burials (or around 10 years). In addition, several of the memorials and the central Grade I Listed Anglican Chapel on the site are in a state of disrepair and on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register.
The GCC has built a strong positive relationship with Historic England over an extended period and has worked constructively with the agency to deliver various works to At Risk monuments in the Cemetery over the last few years. In late 2022 Historic England indicated that they would welcome an application from the GCC for a potential grant to contribute towards the cost of a package of urgent repairs to the Anglican Chapel. A draft of the application form was completed and submitted to Historic England. In parallel to this, initial work was undertaken based on a recent Condition Survey to identify a likely package of urgent repairs and an indicative cost that would form the target of the potential grant award.
We are working with Rena Pitsilli-Graham Architect, accredited conservation architect, and Ingham Pinnock Associates, economic development and regeneration consultants.
Photography by Tom Pengilley
