Its role has grown and shifted alongside the changing context of Canning Town. Following decline in the 1980s, the centre merged with a local Elm church to become the RCC, bringing new life to the site’s core, but it was too late for some of the periphery buildings, which were in a bad state of disrepair. Plans were made for the site’s comprehensive redevelopment in 2006 and preparations for this reduced community activity and paused building maintenance.

However, this has also meant the continued decline of many buildings beyond their useable, economic life. The facilities require modernisation and adaptation to support a changing community.

Due to the delay in redevelopment, most of the existing buildings are no longer fit for purpose.