Teddington Udney Park update: MP requests urgent meeting with Tory peer and AHH chairman over fields' future

Post on 17th September, 2021

Teddington MP Munira Wilson has requested an urgent meeting with Conservative peer Lord Fink over the future of Udney Park playing fields.

She is taking action after a resident-led bid for the site was rejected by the field's owners, Affordable Housing and Healthcare group (AHH), in favour of an alternative sporting bid.

Local councillors and campaigners fighting to save the fields from development slammed the decision and expressed their fears about the fields' future.

Now Wilson is calling on Lord Fink, also known as Baron Fink, to meet with her to discuss the fields' future.

Hedge-fund manager Lord Fink is the Chairman of AHH and one of the Conservative party's top donors.

He has been a life peer with the party since 2011 and was a significant backer of Boris Johnson's campaign for Mayor.

In 2015 Johnson said at Mayor's Question Time: “I note Udney Park was donated to St Mary’s Medical School by Lord Beaverbrook in 1937 specifically for use as rugby union pitches.

"It would be an absolute scandal and an outrage if that land was lost for that purpose. My general view is that you should keep green space in London and rugby pitches should be regarded as sacrosanct."

In her letter to Lord Fink, Wilson pointed out that AHH had not met or engaged with the bid's leader Jonathan Dunn despite the company's ethical goals.

"You state on AHH’s website that: “Investors benefit from good returns, wealth preservation and peace of mind that their capital delivers positive social and economic impact,"" she wrote.

"AHH’s stated aspirations display a progressive approach to communities and investing.

Continue Reading the Article on Teddington Nub News:Teddington Udney Park update: MP requests urgent meeting with Tory peer and AHH chairman over fields' future | teddington.nub.news

Teddington Udney Park update: MP requests urgent meeting with Tory peer and AHH chairman over fields' future

Other recent news

Foundation submit bid to Mr Wu and support in Parliament

Posted on 6th Feb 2024

I have now attended two positive meetings with Mr Wu’s representatives, together with my fellow trustee, Philip Barnes. The most recent meeting was the week before last. An offer to purchase the fields has been submitted. More information has been requested. The Foundation is providing an executive summary as to why the land should be sold, in order that Mr Wu’s representatives can go back with to Mr Wu with a recommendation. This submission will go in this week.

The second meeting was also attended by our local MP, Munira Wilson, who made several robust statements in support of the bid. Munira left all attendees in no doubt as to her position. Her position has also been set out in Parliament on more than one occasion, most recently as link below.

https://youtu.be/FWT7W-EcpEQ?feature=shared

Discussions on purchase of fields due to commence

Posted on 27th Sep 2023

The ACV for the sale for Udney Park playing fields was finally triggered on 15th September 2023, when the owners formally confirmed to LBRUT that they intended to sell the fields. A moratorium of six months now commences during which time the fields can only be sold to a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Foundation to submit bid AND receives a mention in parliament.

Posted on 14th Jul 2023

Confirmation of the sale of Udney Park playing fields was confirmed in the local press igniting hopes that the fields can be returned to community use https://teddingtontown.co.uk/2023/07/06/teddingtons-udney-park-playing-fields-back-on-the-market/

The Foundation have contacted the representatives of Mr Wu in order to put in motion an offer for the purchase of the playing fields. The site is designated as an ACV, and is currently under a moratorium which prevents the sale of the land to anyone other than a Community Interest Company (CIC) for a six month period.