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
Political momentum for a CPO growing
The Udney Park Trust have released a ‘press release’ updating everyone on the momentum gathering for a CPO of the fields at Udney Park. Local hustings were held as a prelude to this week’s general election and the Trust raised a question regarding the future of the site. It was confirmed at the hustings that there was universal support for a CPO from all parties.
The tragedy of the War Memorial Pavilion has been revealed by arial photos taken by residents. These reveal that under the ownership of Mr Wu the building has fallen into such disrepair as to render future renovation work hugely expensive. The project had been to bring the changing rooms back into early use for the community clubs playing on these fields. There were relatively new boilers and heating systems installed just before Imperial College sold the site. The building interior had been dry – even if the changing rooms needed to be brought up to modern standards.
It is hugely disappointing to report that Udney park is now under offer from another group of investors headed up by local resident, Keith Williams.
Udney Park is an Asset of Community Value, defined in the Localism Act (2011) as "Land is an asset of community value if its main use is to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community." The Localism Act states that ‘social interests’ include cultural, recreational and sporting interests
