It was a busy week for Local MP Munira Wilson in the House of Commons as she gained significant progress in the fight for the former site of Teddington Police Station to be sold for communal use, and flagged the uncertain future of Udney Park playing fields.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Munira intervened in a debate on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, introduced in May by the UK government seeking to change the way powers can be devolved to local authorities, and including the introduction of reforms to planning systems across the country.

Addressing Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Munira secured agreement that the Bill should include a provision that public sector owned assets can be sold below market value for social and community benefit.

Following the closure of the Teddington Police Station in 2017, it was confirmed in August 2021 by Sophie Linden that the site would be marketed for sale and it is currently being advertised on the market.

Munira has been fighting to ensure the site is retained for community use. Specifically, Teddington's Park Road surgery urgently needs a new home, and there is a desperate need for more affordable housing for local key workers and young people who have been priced out of the area.

In this week's debate, Michael Gove said that Munira's proposal "makes sense" and that she is "absolutely right". Following the debate, Munira wrote to Mr Gove to progress on their discussion and her proposed amendment to the Bill.

Ms Wilson also took the opportunity to raise the issue of Udney Park's uncertain future.

The former Imperial Sports Ground is privately owned by AHH group Ltd and despite a respectable community bid for the fields last year, it was rejected.

Since the owners rejection of the communal bid, there has been no clear progress regarding Udney Park's future with fears increasingly growing that the owners are biding their time until an appealing commercial offer is put on the table.

Despite the land now being protected green space after a successful legal challenge, the condition of the fields continue to deteriorate due to the disregard in ownership from AHH.

Munira argued that measures need to be enforced to prevent developers buying up space and letting it fall into disrepair when they are unable to sell.