Wormwood Scrubs: UKPN lease extended, rent up 44%

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has extended UK Power Networks' (UKPN) lease to occupy land at Wormwood Scrubs for another seven years, with a 44% increase in rent.

The decision was made during the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee meeting on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. The lease, which covers approximately 1,350m² in the north-west corner of the Scrubs, was originally set to expire on 25 March 2026. The area leased to UKPN is used as a sub-station site.

Under the new agreement, UKPN will pay £5,000 per year, up from the previous £3,446. The extension will run until 25 March 2033. The Trust Manager renegotiated the terms of the lease extension with UKPN in consultation with the corporate property team and secured the 44% uplift to the value of the license. The terms of the lease also stipulate that UKPN will continue to pay all applicable rates and taxes for the sub-station site, refrain from assigning or subletting the property to any third party, indemnify the Trust against claims resulting from wrongful or negligent acts, and maintain the agreed ecological management plan for the site.

Osama El-Amin, the manager to the Wyrmwood Scrubs Charitable Trust, stated that the terms were renegotiated in consultation with the corporate property team. He also noted that UKPN has agreed to reimburse the trust up to £2,500 for the cost of renegotiating the licence.

The committee approved the terms of the licence extension. Councillor Alex Sanderson, chair of the committee, confirmed the approval after no questions were raised. According to the meeting transcript, after the manager presented the UKPN lease extension, Councillor Alex Sanderson asked, Any questions before we move to a vote? and then stated, Fine. Is that approved? Great. Thank you.

The budget for 2025/26 was agreed with an anticipated net expenditure outturn of £401,947. The current forecast (at Q2) is a net expenditure outturn of £489,989. The meeting discusses various capital projects and initiatives the trust is funding, such as improvements to Linford Christie Stadium, play area upgrades, and green infrastructure projects. It is not explicitly stated how the increased rental income will be used, but it will contribute to the overall financial resources of the trust.