Teddington residents have responded positively to news of a community bid to buy Udney Park playing fields.
Key local groups The Teddington Society and the Udney Park Playing Fields Trust say they back a new bid organised by Hampton Wick resident Jonathan Dunn to buy the fields from private developer Quantum.
The bid was announced last week and is backed by several local sports groups and Teddington MP Munira Wilson.
Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Teddington Society said: "We are delighted that a well-supported community bid has been assembled by Teddingtonian Jonathan Dunn to acquire the site for multiple sports activities – rugby, football, cricket, tennis, netball and a mini “Park Run.”
Read full article on the Teddington Nub News: Teddington residents express support for community bid for Udney Park playing fields
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"
