On 11th March 2024, the Foundations bid to purchase Udney Park playing fields was rejected by Mr Wu. In rejecting the bid, the Mr Wu’s representatives stated -
‘ You have provided a robust analysis of the financial basis to the business plan (Appendix 4) and also the potential funding sources (Appendix 6). However, at the moment no decision has yet been made by Mr Wu. I appreciate that not making a clear decision one way or the other will not be the outcome that you were hoping for but, as you will understand, Mr Wu would like to give consideration to other potential bidders for the site.’
Since the bids rejection the Foundation have met with councillors and planners to explore any possible planning relaxations that might allow a review of the land valuation. The reality is that the reverse is the case with planning restrictions tightening. The key takeaway from the meeting was that there is zero hope value for a residential development – something that Mr Wu appears to agree upon.
There is also no hope value for a commercial sporting venture. During the twelve-month sales campaign conducted by Savills only a single interested party who went as far as a Pre-App. As a recent Freedom of Information request revealed this party was Rocks Lane Multi Sports Centres who submitted proposals based around Padel tennis. As a result of planning advice, they did not proceed at the time, and they have recently confirmed that they will not be revisiting this decision. In the past professional sports clubs have decided not to proceed based upon the restrictions to pitch surfacing, lighting, and parking,
All of which leaves us at an impasse.
The tragedy of all this is that the fields and changing rooms remain out of use and at the same time various local sports clubs, and schools struggle for playing space. The changing rooms fall into further disrepair as water pours through gaping holes in the roof structure This issue has not been addressed during the tenure of Mr Wu despite various promises to do so following a joint inspection in November 2022.
Whilst meaningful dialogue has been exhausted for now, the hope remains that Mr Wu will reconsider the bid submitted by the Foundation as kicking the can down the road does not seem like a good option for anyone.
Udney Park is ACV-designated. The ACV legislation envisages a situation like this where the Local Authority intervenes and use a CPO to purchase the land, and this nuclear option will be what now needs to be considered by councillors to avoid this all dragging on indefinitely.
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"
