Teddington Police Station update: Levelling-Up Bill amendment introduced in parliament as fight continues for communal use of site
Local MP Munira Wilson saw her amendment to the Levelling-Up Bill introduced in parliament last Thursday (October 20th), as the fight continues to ensure the site of the former Teddington Police Station is retained for communal use.
Alongside Teddington residents, Ms Wilson has been campaigning for many months regarding the sale of Teddington Police Station, a publicly owned asset in the heart of the local community.
Following its closure in 2017, it was confirmed in August 2021 by Sophie Linden that the site would be marketed for sale and is currently being advertised on the market.
The Twickenham and Teddington MP has been fighting to ensure the site is retained for communal use. Specifically, Teddington's Park Surgery urgently needs a new home, and there is desperate need for more affordable housing for local key workers and young people who have been priced out of the area.
In an open letter addressed to the Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn last month, Ms Wilson stated her tabled amendment to the Levelling Up Bill and called for the Mayor's public support on the back of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) seeking fresh legal advice over the sale of Teddington Police Station.
Within the letter she said: "My amendment, New Clause 51, would enshrine into law the right of local authorities to take community value into account when selling publicly owned assets, making it clear lower bids can be accepted where they are of greater benefit to the local economy, social infrastructure or the environment."
In the latest update, Ms Wilson saw her amendment to the Bill presented to ministers by the former leader of the Lib Dems, Tim Farron last week.
Speaking in parliament, the current MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale said: "This clause addresses an outdated element that we hope the Government will seek to take on board. Land and property sold on by local authorities, the NHS, the fire brigade and the police forces should where possible, be prioritised for public services and social and affordable housing which benefit the local communities which these buildings previously served.
"As things stand, however, the law is ambiguous and outdated when it comes to the sale of publicly-owned assets."
Following the bill's introduction in parliament, Ms Wilson took to Twitter to update her constituents.
She wrote: "On Thursday, Tim Farron introduced our Levelling-Up Bill amendment to let the Mayor of London sell the building (formerly Teddington Police Station) for a GP surgery and affordable housing, not just to the highest bidder.
"Ministers want more details so i'll be writing again!"
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