Since I last posted news about the private sale of Udney park to Mr Wu there has been some progress.
I have held informal meetings with Councillors Robin Brown and Julia Neden-Watts and Council Leader Gareth Roberts. I have been advised by Julia that LBRUT have been absolutely clear with Mr Wu’s representatives in respect of all of the planning constraints applicable to the site.
I am also in communication with Mr Wu’s architect, and he has confirmed this is most certainly the case and that he was left in no doubt about the planning obstacles, after his meeting with Julia and planning officers.
I have also been afforded the opportunity to meet with Mr Wu’s representatives on behalf of the Foundation. What I can also say there is a total commitment from Mr Wu that another residential development is not contemplated. Any sketch proposal placed before LBRUT or myself confirm this.
I have also emphasised in this meeting the importance of making the pavilion both watertight and secure, and ensuring that the boundaries are maintained.
On the more central issue of Mr Wu’s longer term proposal for the site – it is extremely early days and I believe that the engagement has to be allowed to continue so it can be shown whether or not Mr Wu’s proposals can align with community aspirations. I have to admit that I approached my meeting with Mr Wu’s representatives with a great deal of cynicism, but the dialogue was courteous, open and positive. As the Foundation is the only fully funded CIC with a business plan I intend to continue developing proposals alongside Mr Wu’s representatives. Certainly the early indications are that a solution can be found, and so I appreciate everyone’s patience on all of this whilst discussions continue. I think it is vital that we do not have a repeat of the disconnect that occurred between Quantum and the community, and instead seek a way to get the fields back in to community use.
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
