A group which has been fighting against the development of Teddington playing fields for 7 years is "deeply disturbed" by news that an alternative bid for the site has been accepted. The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields formed in 2014 and secured the fields' status as an Asset of Community Value while campaigning for use of the playing fields by Teddington's community. In April the group backed a community bid for the fields led by Jonathan Dunn, who planned to turn the space into excellent facilities for local sports clubs as well as a hub for Teddington's community.
But on Friday (20 August) news broke that the community offer had been rejected after the field's owners AHH (formerly Quantum) decided to accept an alternative sporting bid.
Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Friends of Udney Park expressed the group's doubts about the alternative bid and urged the owners to reconsider.
They said: “The Friends of Udney Park are deeply disturbed to learn that Quantum (or “AHH” as they now call themselves) have rejected the Community Bid for Udney Park and plan to sell to a commercial bidder.
"The Asset of Community Value legislation is intended to deliver a sale to community organisations when a credible funded bid emerges.
"Jonathan Dunn generously built such a compelling and inclusive bid backed by many local clubs, our MP Munira, the CEOs of the ECB and the RFU and Sport England.
"The Friends, the Council and others have fought for the last 7 years to ensure a community-led future for Udney Park, as the original donors intended.
Continue Reading the Article on Teddington Nub News:Teddington: community bid for Udney Park REJECTED by field's owners | teddington.nub.news
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
