Teddington residents have responded positively to news of a community bid to buy Udney Park playing fields.

Key local groups The Teddington Society and the Udney Park Playing Fields Trust say they back a new bid organised by Hampton Wick resident Jonathan Dunn to buy the fields from private developer Quantum.

The bid was announced last week and is backed by several local sports groups and Teddington MP Munira Wilson.

Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Teddington Society said: "We are delighted that a well-supported community bid has been assembled by Teddingtonian Jonathan Dunn to acquire the site for multiple sports activities – rugby, football, cricket, tennis, netball and a mini "Park Run."

"We very much appreciate the determination of Richmond councillors and our MP to ensure Udney Park stays as a Community Playing Field."

They added: "The Teddington Society has supported the campaign to develop these historic playing fields into a community sports facility from the very moment that Imperial College announced its intention to sell them.

"We supported the Local Green Space application which was a key factor in the Appeal decision.

"We joined with UPPF Trust to argue the case at the Planning Appeal for the rejection of the residential development of the site.

"Recently we successfully submitted an application for a fresh five-year listing of the site as an Asset of Community Value (ACV)."

Meanwhile, Mark Jopling, Chair of Udney Park Playing Fields Trust, also said his group supported the bid.

He said: "The Udney Park Playing Fields Trust welcomes the plan led by Jonathan Dunn to acquire Udney Park via a charitable trust and run the playing fields for local community clubs.

"Udney Park was originally protected as recreation space when Teddington was developed after the railway arrived, in 1922 it was opened formally by WW1 Home Secretary Lord Cave as a War Memorial Playing Field and then in 1937 was bequeathed under covenant for amateur sport.

"In recent years Udney Park has gained further legal protection as an Asset of Community Value and Local Green Space.

"Sport England, Natural England and Historic England all backed Richmond Council, the Udney Park Trust and the Teddington Society at the 2020 Public Inquiry, which determined that Udney Park must be preserved as green space for the community, per the original donor's intentions and the Richmond Local Plan.

"The Trust fully supports this new bid, what Councillor Brown calls a "graceful exit" for Quantum."

Local resident Rex Stonehouse also gave his backing to the plan.

He said: "As a resident of Teddington who lives close to the fields, I was delighted to read in Teddington Nub News about the bid for Udney Park Playing Fields organised by Jonathan Dunn.

"It would be amazing if this green space could be opened up to local sports teams again.

"As one of the managers of a local football team, I am aware of how difficult it can be to find football pitches available locally.

"If Udney Park Playing Fields were to become an option, I am sure there would be lots of interest from teams to play there given its wonderful setting and central location.

"At the same time, the pavilion could become a vibrant part of the community again. I myself was lucky enough to hold a birthday celebration there many years ago and have many fond memories from that night. It is a wonderful venue for such events.

"I hope this bid is successful and that Quantum exits gracefully and without delay."

Udney Park playing fields were bought in 2015 by private developers Quantum from Imperial College London.

Last May, an appeal by Quantum to gain approval to build on the playing fields was rejected by the Government's Planning Inspectorate.

In March this year, Udney Park Playing Fields were declared an Asset of Community Value, meaning that for six months the fields can only be sold to a community group.

Read more on the history of the playing fields HERE

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