GRENFELL TOWER is set to be be “carefully” demolished in a process likely to take two years, the government confirmed today.

The official announcement on the burned west London block’s future follows criticism from some bereaved families and survivors of the 2017 fire there, following a private meeting earlier this week.

The tower will be brought down to ground level, with some parts potentially included in a memorial “if the community wishes.”

The update acknowledged that there is “not a consensus” on what should happen to the “sacred site.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner “prioritised engagement with the community” and has met bereaved families, survivors and residents in the area, the government insisted.

Some expressed upset and shock after Wednesday’s meeting with Ms Rayner, saying they felt their views were not considered before a decision was taken.

Grenfell United, which represents some bereaved and survivors, said it appeared from the meeting that “no-one supported” the government’s decision.

They added: “Angela Rayner could not give a reason for her decision to demolish the Tower.

“She refused to confirm how many bereaved and survivors had been spoken to in the recent, short four-week consultation.

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

A spokesperson for Grenfell Next Of Kin, a separate group representing some bereaved families, said that while the decision was “obviously a very sensitive and difficult” one, families “understand the hard facts around safety.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said In an official update today the engineering advice is that the tower “is significantly damaged” and will worsen with time.

It said: “It will likely take around two years to sensitively take down the tower through a process of careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping.”

No changes will take place before the eighth anniversary of the disaster in June, which claimed the lives of 72 people.

While the government acknowledged that some view the tower’s presence as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability, it said the lower floors will not be kept in place.

On claims of a lack of consultation, Downing Street said Ms Rayner had “multiple engagements with the community on multiple occasions.”

The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, published in September, concluded that the disaster was the result of “decades of failure” by government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.

Police and prosecutors have previously said investigators would need until the end of 2025 to complete their inquiry, with final decisions on potential criminal charges by the end of 2026.

The government said it had “regularly consulted” with police, the coroner and the inquiry “to ensure decisions about the site do not interfere with their important work in pursuit of justice and accountability.”