It could be bad news for Udney Park Playing Fields.

That is according to Philip Barnes from the Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields.

The playing fields are currently owned by Quantum who have previously tried to develop on them.

Mr Barnes believes that after looking at their accounts they will try to develop them again.

He told Nub News: "Any future Applications to build on Udney Park would be a further waste of public resources defending a playing field.

"After 5 years of Quantum trying to breach Policy the time is overdue for Quantum to find a graceful exit.

"One third of the playing field area has been leased to Teddington RFC, including the tennis courts. Of course, even this limited use for sport is to be welcomed, but this arrangement is temporary as it is a 3-year lease with significant break clauses.

"There is no security of tenure for sport even for this limited area of the Park. Teddington RFC have referred everyone back to Quantum on their plans for the other 2/3rds of the site including the pavilion.

"Quantum refuse to clarify their intent for the remainder of the site and all overtures have been ignored including specific requests to use the remainder of the fields for the playing of sport.

"At present it is plausible that Quantum are distracted by Covid. Changing rooms are locked up everywhere and organised outdoor sport is not possible.

"This will however change as and when lockdown restrictions are lifted and the requirement for outdoor playing space and the mental health benefits of green space come into even sharper focus.

"Surely now is the time for the council to commence the process towards a Compulsory Purchase Order and a Community Asset Transfer, at no cost to the Council, to break the impasse with Quantum and bring a much loved, and in demand playing field, into community ownership for perpetuity."

Find out more about the Save Udney Park Appeal HERE