The leader of a community bid to buy Udney Park playing fields has confirmed that the group have made an offer to the developers who own the site.

Jonathan Dunn, a local resident who heads the Udney Park Community Fields Foundation, revealed yesterday (30 July) that a 7-figure bid has been made to Quantum, who bought the former Imperial College playing fields at Udney Park in 2015.

The Foundation, a registered charity, plans to open the site as playing fields for Teddington residents and local sports clubs.

They are consulting with Sports England about how best to manage this, and you can read more about their proposals HERE .

The deadline for a community bid is next Monday (2 August) and the Foundation hopes that there will be "some serious dialogue" around this offer before the site's protected status as an Asset of Community Value expires in mid-August.

It is now up to owners AHH (Quantum) and their investors as to whether to accept this offer.

Jonathan said: "Richmond Council have been very clear on what will and will not be allowed on this site (see their response HERE .

"There does not seem to be any prospect of building on the existing car park or developing the pavilion, other than as facilities to support the sporting use of the fields, and to serve the local community.

"I very much hope that the offer is given proper consideration as it provides everyone with a release from the deadlock that has blighted Udney Park from so many years.

"I am encouraged by the AHH commitment to social and ethical values as espoused on their website.

"As a residential development is not going to be viable then hopefully the community solution will provide a very positive outcome for everyone.

"The plans for the site are being steadily advanced.There is much work needing to be done before the fields can be put back in to use.

"If the bid is successful, then this will just be phase 1 completed. There will then be a need for substantial capital investment to create the vibrant community hub that everyone would like to see.

"The support of our local MP, Munira Wilson has been very much appreciated, as well as a long list of sporting luminaries – both national and local.

"I have had very useful advice from Sports England and the national sporting bodies. Even more important has been the enthusiasm and energy from the local clubs who will be the end users.

"For Thamesians RFC and Hearts of Teddlothians FC this will provide a new home. For Teddington RFC it will hopefully provide an important evening training facility between their matches.

"There will be an affordable tennis facility, and a cricket facility. The jogging track will provide local access with personal training areas around the perimeter of the site.

"A host of other local clubs and schools have expressed an interest in using Udney Park if this can all be bought to fruition.

"The pavilion was built as a war memorial in 1922 for the fallen pupils of Old Merchant Taylors School, so it will be a wonderful symmetry to reopen exactly one hundred years later!

"The operating committee that has been formed are also in dialogue with a host of NGOs over non-sporting use of the pavilion building including charities such as Three Pillars and Regenerate.

"The use is intended to go well beyond just a venue for rugby and football – albeit they are the critical revenue stream for the success of the project.

"Let's hope we can get this across the line. It will be quite incredible to do so at a time when we all need a lift and when physical and mental health are more important than ever."