Purpose

The tenant, Urban Garden (CIC) has been occupying part of the Nursery at Royal Victoria Park since February 2020. The current lease ended on 31st December 2025, and the tenant is now occupying under a tenancy at will. Bath and North East Somerset proposes to lease Urban Garden (CIC) at an abated rent on the condition that Urban Garden continues to provide horticultural therapy to the community. The new lease will be granted for a term of 15 years.

Decision

The Cabinet Member agrees that:

The granting of a new lease from 1st January 2026 for a term of 15 years, which will be outside of the security of tenure provisions set out in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

Urban Garden satisfying Bath and North East Somerset Council in the Council’s absolute discretion, that throughout the terms of the lease:

• The premises are used for the general community benefit of the people of Bath and North East Somerset, primarily to provide horticultural therapy through working with people who are long term unemployed and/or are struggling with their mental health. Engagement is through referral e.g. Bath Mind or self-referral.

Reasons for the decision

The proposed contracted-out lease will benefit from an abated rent to allow Urban Garden to provide the community with support through horticultural training and wellbeing. The market rent is £1,815 p.a. which will be reduced to a peppercorn rent. Urban Garden will be responsible for the upkeep of their demised area including contribution towards utility bills. This has not been taking place under the current lease so it will help the Parks Team hugely.

Alternative options considered

None