The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the decommissioning of the KAA2 site¹, the performance of grounds maintenance contracts, and updates on capital projects at the Linford Christie Stadium. The committee approved delegating authority to Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader (with responsibility for Children and Education) and Lead Member for Inclusive Community Engagement and Co-production, the Chair, for final sign off on the Kensington Dragons Football Club lease, and to authorise solutions for track refurbishment up to £100,000. The committee also discussed the future of Park Lodge, considering its demolition due to structural issues.

KAA2 Site Decommissioning

The committee discussed the decommissioning of the KAA2 site, a temporary school site located off Scrubs Lane. The Department for Education (DfE) had initially intended to extend their planning permission for the site by three years, but after engaging with the Grenfell community, a decision was made to decommission the site.

The Wormwood Scrubs Act 1879 confers military access rights to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the western section of the open space, including the parade ground where the KAA2 site is located. The initial reinstatement plan, agreed in 2017, proposed returning the site to its original state, with unbound gravel surfacing, wooden fencing, and no security gates. However, the current site has a tarmac surface, an electrical sub-station, water/foul drainage infrastructure, security gates, and fencing.

The committee considered a proposal to retain some of these features, which could be used for community events and film unit basing. Osama El-Amin, the trust manager, sought guidance on how the space could be used in the future. Councillor Alex Sanderson, the Chair, agreed to write to the MoD and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) to discuss the Trust's ambitions for the site.

Grounds Maintenance Contract

The committee noted that the grounds maintenance (GM) contractor continues to perform to a satisfactory level, with no complaints received from the public since March 2025. Grass cutting, sports pitch line marking, and regular cleansing regimes have been maintained successfully. Horticultural features, including the wildlife hedges and flower beds, have been weeded and maintained under the stewardship of the on-site ecologist.

Stephen Waley-Cohen, a co-opted member and Chair of Trustees of the Friends of the Scrubs, asked about the timetable for the master plan, progress on signs and access, and signs for the current toilets. He also enquired about the process for renewing or replacing the ID Verdi grounds maintenance contract, which ends in 18 months. Mark Raisbeck, Director of Public Realm, confirmed that a strategic report had been taken to Cabinet to look at the procurement for public realm contracts, including grounds maintenance. The procurement process is in development, with the aim of starting it in the next few months.

Park Lodge

The committee discussed the future of Park Lodge, a vacant two-storey, three-bedroom detached house in the southwest corner of Wormwood Scrubs. A building condition survey revealed significant structural issues, including subsidence caused by mature vegetation impacting the foundations. The flat roof structure also requires full stripping and remediation.

Given the structural damage and the anticipated long-term closure of Old Oak Common Lane due to HS2 works, the committee considered demolishing the building. Osama El-Amin, the trust manager, suggested that the area could be returned to open space in the short term, with alternative long-term options considered later.

Councillor Dominic Stanton, Opposition Whip, raised concerns about the impact of demolishing the building on future planning, given that the site is metropolitan open land². Stephen Waley-Cohen, a co-opted member, suggested that the idea of having staff on site is a good one, potentially for people managing the overall space rather than someone who works at Linford Christie. Councillor Alex Sanderson, the Chair, agreed that the concept of having some sort of welfare facility or accommodation for someone dedicated to the space is a good idea, but that the current building in its location does not really serve that purpose.

Linford Christie Stadium Capital Programme

The committee received an update on the capital programme at the Linford Christie Stadium. Phase 1 of the changing room scheme has been completed, with all changing room units available for hire. Phase 2, involving the replacement of the community room facility, is also complete. The facility is now available to hire at a cost of £39 per hour, with discounts available for local partners.

The artificial pitch re-development is on track to be completed 2-3 weeks earlier than anticipated, with the new sports facilities available for hire from August 2025. The committee approved delegating authority to Councillor Alex Sanderson, the Chair, for any final minor alterations to the original lease documents previously approved in 2021 with Kensington Dragons Football Club.

However, tests on the surface of the artificial pitches revealed significant dips in the eastern aspect of the athletics track. Further investigation is required to understand the full extent of the damage. The track will lose its UK Athletics 'track-mark' accreditation for hosting licensed competitions in August. The committee delegated authority to Councillor Alex Sanderson, the Chair, to authorise a solution with a financial implication of up to £100,000.

Braybrook Street Play Area Improvement Scheme

The tender for the Braybrook Street Under 8s Play Area improvement was published on the council's procurement portal at the end of April, with a deadline of 21st May for bids. One bid was received and is currently being evaluated. If the bid is deemed to meet the requirements, work to install new play equipment and safety surfacing could start on site within 6-8 weeks and be completed by mid-September.

Once the new play equipment and safety surfacing is installed, the play area will be fenced, and the path from Braybrook Street entrance extended into the play area to improve accessibility. Phase 2 involves improving the Over 8s play area. This tender will be published once the outcome of the Under 8s tender is known.

Faye Thomas, a co-opted member, asked about the timeline for the review of the tender. Victoria Abel, the one scrubs development manager, said that it was stuck with her, as she could not decide whether to do it as one lot or one individual lot. Stephen Waley-Cohen, a co-opted member, suggested planting two or three trees to provide shade in the playground area. Victoria Abel, the one scrubs development manager, said that it can be difficult with trees in play areas, but that they could look at getting structures that provide shade.

Wormwood Scrubs Meadow – Local Nature Reserve (LNR)

The committee noted that in May 2025, the final LNR declaration was sealed by the LBHF legal team. Prior to this additional designation, the Scrubs hosted 15.95ha of LNR. The Wormwood Scrubs Meadow brings this figure up to – 29.15ha, which represents 38% of the open space.

MUGA Re-Surfacing Programme at Old Oak Family Hub

A contractor has been selected to undertake resurfacing improvements at the multi-use games area (MUGA) behind the Old Oak Family Hub. Vegetation on the outer edges of the court has affected the uniformity of the surface. An additional layer of rubber crumb will be laid around the perimeter before installing the new carpet and spraying the required lines. The carpet has been ordered from the EU, with anticipated delivery by the final week of July. The works will take approximately 2 weeks, which will occur during the summer holidays.

Community Safety Report

Alfie Kerrigan, the Senior Law Enforcement, provided an update on community safety. Between 28th February 2025 and 30th May 2025, the Law Enforcement Team (LET) conducted 15 weapon sweeps, 68 ASB patrols, 19 dog issue/PSPO awareness patrols, and 43 engagements with members of the public.

One incident involved a dog walker with six dogs who became very aggressive and threatened physical violence. The police were called, and a fixed penalty notice (FPN) was issued. One community protection warning was issued in May to a known dog walking company.

Alfie Kerrigan, the Senior Law Enforcement, stressed that any urgent information should be reported directly through the LET main email inbox at let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk. He also clarified that any antisocial behaviour, threats of violence, dangerous driving, or harassment should be reported directly to the police.

Financial Performance

Carmen Lomotey, Advisor to the Trust, presented the financial outturn for 2024/25 and the impact of the budget for 2025/26. The 2024/25 outturn provided a significant surplus of £713,600.88, which is £34,572 better than last forecasted. The overall surplus was largely due to reduced project costs, increased parking income, and higher bank interest.

The 2025/26 budget was agreed with an anticipated net expenditure outturn of £401,947. The current forecast is a net expenditure outturn of £387,321, a favourable income movement of £14,627.

Councillor Dominic Stanton, Opposition Whip, asked if the forecast for 2025/26 takes into account Kensington Aldridge vacating the KAA2 site. Sarwa, clarified that they will be vacated by the end of this calendar year, with the reinstatement plan stating that they'll be finished around the 24th of November. Carmen Lomotey, Advisor to the Trust, confirmed that the next report will reflect a downward adjustment of about £100,000 in income.

Other Business

Stephen Waley-Cohen, a co-opted member, reminded everyone that the annual Friends Dog Show will be on the last Sunday of July, the 27th this year. He hoped that the council would again be able to make a small grant to the event.