Youth Club seeks legal support on leasehold rights and potential redevelopment risk

What do they need help with?

Ensign Youth Club (EYC) is a community-based charity in East London providing essential youth and community services. The organisation occupies its current site under a 65-year lease, with approximately 20 years remaining, at a peppercorn rent of £400 per annum.

The site has recently been identified by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as part of the Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme (MAHP). Initial discussions regarding a potential rent increase have escalated into proposals for full redevelopment, placing the organisation’s long-term future at significant risk.

Since early 2026, a series of events have increased concern. A Council contractor attended the site without prior notice, followed by requests from the Council’s Development Manager to discuss redevelopment proposals. Subsequent requests were made by the Council’s Asset Management team to access the site for a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. Ensign Youth Club declined access due to insufficient notice and lack of clarity regarding the purpose of the survey, particularly in the absence of a confirmed meeting with the Mayor.

Independent advice has indicated that the site may be at risk of acquisition through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). There are also concerns that the Council may be conflating its roles as both landlord and local authority, creating uncertainty around its actions and intentions.

The situation is currently at a standstill. Ensign Youth Club has withheld access to the site pending further clarification, while key Council contacts have changed and meetings have been delayed.

The organisation is seeking urgent pro bono legal support to:

• Understand its rights as a long leaseholder
• Assess the likelihood and implications of a Compulsory Purchase Order
• Determine its legal position regarding site access requests and surveys
• Clarify whether access can be refused or subject to conditions or fees
• Support effective engagement with the local authority to retain the site

Without this support, the organisation risks losing its premises and the ability to deliver vital services to young people in the local community.

Timeline

URGENT

About the organisation

Ensign Youth Club is a long-established charity based in Tower Hamlets, one of the most socially deprived boroughs in the UK. Founded in 1975 and registered in 1976, the organisation has supported generations of young people, initially operating from Cable Street before relocating to its current purpose-built facility in Wellclose Square in 1986.

The centre provides a safe and structured environment where young people can access recreational, educational and developmental activities. These include sports, arts and crafts, educational discussions, life skills training, and organised trips and residential experiences designed to build confidence and independence.

Today, Ensign Youth Club continues to deliver inclusive programmes for young people, including targeted sessions such as girls-only groups, alongside broader community activities. Its work promotes social inclusion, supports families, and empowers young people to develop practical skills and positive relationships.

The organisation plays a vital role in its community, offering a trusted space that helps reduce isolation, build resilience, and support young people at risk — including those who may be vulnerable to homelessness.

https://ensign.org.uk