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.
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
