Hampton Wick resident Jonathan Dunn, a married father-of-two and owner of local firm J P Dunn Construction Ltd, has organised a bid supported by key stakeholders including Hearts of Teddlothians FC, Thamesians RFC, Teddington RFC and Friends of Udney Park.
The playing fields’ owners, private developer Quantum, announced their intention to sell the site in February this year.
But as the fields are an Asset of Community Value (ACV) they can legally only be sold to community groups over the next six months.
Jonathan is Chair of Thamesians RFC but he says his vision for the site “goes well beyond the interests of a single club.”
His plans include renovating the old pavilion, new cricket squares, a hybrid pitch and sports lights designed to have minimal light spillage or environmental impact.
A jogging/walking path around the pitches and a children’s play area complete his vision for the fields.
Read the Full update on the Teddington Nub News: Exclusive: Community bid for Udney Park Playing Fields confirmed
Local MP, Munira Wilson, gave an impassioned speech emphasising the importance of retaining playing fields for community use rather than allowing them to be land banked by developers.
I thought that I ought to update everyone as the latest moratorium period under the ACV is about to expire. At this point Mr Wu can market the site again to commercial bidders. Before the moratorium period he attempted to sell the site over a twelve-month period and attracted an offer from a single developer called Mr Williams. This bid later evaporated. No doubt Mr Wu hopes for more meaningful interest the next time around.
The Foundation has received welcome support from the football community as the statements below -
Lee Doyle, CEO of Brentford FC CST
"The Brentford FC Community Sports Trust aims to deliver exciting, progressive and socially inclusive multi-sports participation, coach education and facility development programmes, enabling participants, coaches and volunteers to realise their potential through community sport. The Trust supports the aims of the Udney Park Community Fields Foundation to buy and run these precious playing fields in Teddington"
