A group which has been fighting against the development of Teddington playing fields for 7 years is "deeply disturbed" by news that an alternative bid for the site has been accepted.

The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields formed in 2014 and secured the fields' status as an Asset of Community Value while campaigning for use of the playing fields by Teddington's community.

In April the group backed a community bid for the fields led by Jonathan Dunn, who planned to turn the space into excellent facilities for local sports clubs as well as a hub for Teddington's community.

But on Friday (20 August) news broke that the community offer had been rejected after the field's owners AHH (formerly Quantum) decided to accept an alternative sporting bid.

Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Friends of Udney Park expressed the group's doubts about the alternative bid and urged the owners to reconsider.

They said: "The Friends of Udney Park are deeply disturbed to learn that Quantum (or "AHH" as they now call themselves) have rejected the Community Bid for Udney Park and plan to sell to a commercial bidder.

"The Asset of Community Value legislation is intended to deliver a sale to community organisations when a credible funded bid emerges.

"Jonathan Dunn generously built such a compelling and inclusive bid backed by many local clubs, our MP Munira, the CEOs of the ECB and the RFU and Sport England.

"The Friends, the Council and others have fought for the last 7 years to ensure a community-led future for Udney Park, as the original donors intended.

"AHH Group claim they "deliver positive social and economic impact" and are "ethical investors" which selling to commercial entity would defy, if they are "ethical" as they claim they should sell to the charity formed by Jonathan.

"If any new non-Charitable owner, even with the "camouflage" strategy of limited public use that AHH tried, think they can wear down the Council and community they are deluded.

"All of the green space of Udney Park is needed post-pandemic more than ever, the Government Compulsory Purchase Guidelines specifically references "ACVs that are in danger of being lost where the owner is unwilling to sell" and the clamour for the Council to exercise their CPO [Compulsory Purchase Order] powers will become irresistible if Udney Park does not reach community ownership in 2021."

Read more about the latest developments on Udney Park here