Udney Park latest update

Post on 15th November, 2022

By way of update my conversations with the new owners continue. We met again on Friday and inspected the inside of the pavilion building. Mr Wu’s representatives are now acutely aware (if they were not before) of the impact of recent vandalism, and I have made some suggestions on how to put in place security arrangements and roof repairs.

It needs to be remembered that Mr Wu has only been in ownership of Udney Park for 3 months, and that most of this damage occurred under Quantum’s period of ownership. Nonetheless there has been a radical deterioration to the structure of pavilion due to water ingress, and I think everyone acknowledges the urgency of the situation.

About a third of the site remains leased to Teddington RFC for floodlight training. Under this arrangement Teddington RFC are maintaining boundaries and cutting the grass, so everyone will have already have seen improvements.

I will report back when I have more meaningful news, but can only repeat that the plans tabled by Mr Wu’s representatives very much accommodate the aims of the Foundation. Mr Wu’s advisers also are very clear on the planning restrictions that apply to this site, and continue to state that they have absolutely no intention to build houses.

https://www.udneypark.co.uk/the-plan/

I can understand the anger surrounding Udney Park but at least the new owner of this land is engaging positively with the Foundation – which is a radical improvement after seven years of total disconnect between the community and Quantum.

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.