London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH)

The contractual lease ended in June last year. However, under a law that protects long-standing tenants (the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), we have the legal right to continue operating on the site while we work to agree a new lease. We’ve formally applied for a new lease, but so far, the landlord (LBTH) has not offered terms that would allow us to move forward sustainably. Discussions are ongoing.

A new lease is essential to protect Mudchute’s future. As a charity, we rely on grants and donations to run the farm, care for rare breeds, support education, and provide FREE access to green space. Funders and supporters need to know we have long-term security.  Without a proper lease, we can’t apply for many of the grants that help keep Mudchute running.

Our previous lease was for 20 years. LBTH’s current policy is to offer shorter leases, which makes it near-impossible for us to plan for the future and to secure funding. They’ve also proposed charging rent for the first time in Mudchute’s history — even though we operate as a charity, maintain public access, and care for the land on behalf of the community.  We’re continuing to work with the LBTH to find a fair and sustainable agreement, that will keep this valuable space free and open for everyone to enjoy.

We’re having to take legal advice to protect the future of Mudchute, and this has led to significant professional fees. At the same time, we’re continuing to care for our animals, protect green space, and offer free access and educational programmes to the public. Every donation helps us continue this important work and safeguard this unique place for the whole community.

We believe the court is likely to grant us a 15-year lease — which is the maximum permitted by the 1954 Act as this is less than the term of our current lease. While legal proceedings can take time, we’re actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible and continue to negotiate with LBTH in the hope of reaching a fair agreement.

Yes, we have been in contact with LBTH. Both parties have appointed surveyors to work on negotiations, and we remain hopeful for a positive and amicable resolution.

No, the farm is not closing. We are continuing to operate as normal and remain committed to serving the community. However, without securing a long-term lease, the future is uncertain—which is why your support right now is so important.

If legal action proceeds to trial, we estimate that we will need to raise around £75,000.

If we don’t manage to raise enough funds, we may have to introduce charges for services or activities that are currently free, such as entry to the farm.

Donors will have the option to either receive a pro-rata refund of any unused funds (after covering professional fees) or allow the excess amount to be retained for future charitable purposes.

We’ve explored every possible avenue, including pro bono legal support. Unfortunately, due to the complexity and length of the case, it requires significant time and expertise that most firms are unable to provide without funding. We’ve been fortunate to receive some discounted advice, but we still need to raise funds to cover the legal costs of ongoing negotiations and potential court proceedings.

Yes, it is safe to enrol your child. Muddy Boots and all our programmes continue to run as normal. There are no plans to close, and we are doing everything possible to secure our long-term future.

Yes, all our upcoming programmes, including summer club, will go ahead as planned. We are fully committed to delivering the activities and services our community depends on.

We are doing everything we can to protect jobs. Our staff are a vital part of what makes Mudchute special. While the legal situation brings financial pressure, our goal is to secure the farm’s future and maintain stability for both staff and the wider community.

We’ve been trying to resolve this situation since 2019 through dialogue and negotiation. Unfortunately, to protect our long-term future, we now have to pursue a formal legal route, which brings significant costs. As a charity, we simply don’t have the funds to cover these legal fees without community support.

No, this situation is specific to Mudchute. Each community farm in the borough has its own lease and management structure. We can’t speak on their behalf, but we know many share our challenges around funding and sustainability.

Mudchute receives some support from the council, but it doesn’t cover core costs or legal action. Every penny is carefully accounted for, and we are regularly audited as a registered charity. This situation is not about poor management—it’s about needing to secure our lease through a legal process, which comes at a cost we cannot cover alone.

The welfare of our animals is a top priority. The farm continues to operate as normal, and all animals are being cared for by our experienced team. Our goal is to secure the long-term future of Mudchute so that the animals, many of which are rare and heritage breeds, can remain here as part of the community. We are not planning to rehome or remove any animals, and we are doing everything we can to ensure they stay safe and well looked after at Mudchute.

Yes, you are still very welcome to walk your dog at Mudchute. The park and farm remain open to the public, and we encourage everyone to continue enjoying the space as usual. All we ask is that dogs are kept on a lead around livestock and that you clean up after them to help us keep the space safe and enjoyable for everyone.

You’re welcome to get in touch by emailing lease_questions@mudchute.org.

We’ll continue to share updates as soon as we’re able. This is an ongoing legal matter, so some details may take time to unfold—but we’re committed to keeping our community informed every step of the way.

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates and announcements about Mudchute’s future.

Yes—aside from donating, one of the most powerful things you can do is to write to your Local Councillors or Tower Hamlets MP’s to let them know how much Mudchute means to you and the community.   Every voice matters!