Discussions on purchase of fields due to commence

Post on 27th September, 2023

The ACV for the sale for Udney Park playing fields was finally triggered on 15^th September 2023, when the owners formally confirmed to LBRUT that they intended to sell the fields. A moratorium of six months now commences during which time the fields can only be sold to a Community Interest Company (CIC). LBRUT has confirmed that the Foundation is a qualifying CIC. The Foundation has already approached the owners to commence meaningful dialogue. A selling agent is to be appointed to act on their behalf. There is no obligation for the owners to sell to a CIC but the sale of the fields will be a tremendous legacy, and hopefully an exit can be found that suits both parties.

Whilst this has all been happening the Foundation has continued to have very positive dialogue with other charities who would like to make use of the facilities, adding great social value to the community sports proposal already put forward. The hope will be to develop these discussions once a purchase of Udney Park moves closer to being realised.

Discussions on purchase of fields due to commence

Other recent news

Foundation submit bid to Mr Wu and support in Parliament

Posted on 6th Feb 2024

I have now attended two positive meetings with Mr Wu’s representatives, together with my fellow trustee, Philip Barnes. The most recent meeting was the week before last. An offer to purchase the fields has been submitted. More information has been requested. The Foundation is providing an executive summary as to why the land should be sold, in order that Mr Wu’s representatives can go back with to Mr Wu with a recommendation. This submission will go in this week.

The second meeting was also attended by our local MP, Munira Wilson, who made several robust statements in support of the bid. Munira left all attendees in no doubt as to her position. Her position has also been set out in Parliament on more than one occasion, most recently as link below.

https://youtu.be/FWT7W-EcpEQ?feature=shared

Foundation to submit bid AND receives a mention in parliament.

Posted on 14th Jul 2023

Confirmation of the sale of Udney Park playing fields was confirmed in the local press igniting hopes that the fields can be returned to community use https://teddingtontown.co.uk/2023/07/06/teddingtons-udney-park-playing-fields-back-on-the-market/

The Foundation have contacted the representatives of Mr Wu in order to put in motion an offer for the purchase of the playing fields. The site is designated as an ACV, and is currently under a moratorium which prevents the sale of the land to anyone other than a Community Interest Company (CIC) for a six month period.

Udney Park playing fields to be sold again

Posted on 5th Jul 2023

A year ago, Quantum abandoned plans to build luxury apartments and a doctor’s surgery on 50% of the playing area and sold the site to another developer. Now the fields are to be sold again. Quantum concluded that Udney Park playing fields could not be developed This was not before they had spent between £3m and £4m on trying to overturn planning restrictions. The site has an ACV designation under the Localism Act, so once Quantum decided to sell, they were obliged to engage with the community bid for a six-month moratorium period, during which time they could not sell to anyone else. No meaningful engagement took place within this period. A direct appeal to Lord Fink (the Chair of Quantum), by our local MP Munira Wilson, was effectively ignored.