A resident-led campaign to bring the disused Udney Park pavilion and playing fields under community ownership has faced two major setbacks in a matter of days.

Udney Park Community Fields Foundation had been in discussions to purchase the site's freehold from its current owner, Mr Wu of Leisure Focus: the latest in a series of developers unable to overcome the fields' strict planning restrictions as a designated Local Green Space and Asset of Community Value.

However, representatives rejected the foundation's bid on 11 March, explaining: "Mr Wu would like to give consideration to other potential bidders for the site".

Another group of investors, headed up by local resident Keith Williams, made an offer on the site earlier this month as part of a for-profit venture.

The foundation, led by local Jonathan Dunn, has pushed back on Mr William's bid, asking him to withdraw from the process and prevent further delays, on the grounds that his plans are "in clear breach of the Asset of Community Value legislation".

According to the campaign group's website, Mr Williams claims his currently undisclosed plans for the site will generate an annual return of £350,000 for a number of unnamed investors.

Former MP Munira Wilson raised Udney Park with the Sports Minister earlier this year. (Photo: Munira Wilson)

The foundation contacted Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Munira Wilson, who raised the question of community ownership of the playing fields to Parliament during her time as MP, regarding the offer.

advertisement

In a letter to Ms Wilson, Jonathan Dunn wrote: "Community sport has limited income streams and to indicate otherwise to investors or anyone else would be misleading [...] To fund this sort of pay-back the aspiration for community sport will have to be compromised by a commercial venture of some sort."

Campaigners faced further challenges this month, after aerial photos taken by a resident revealed extensive damage to the site's War Memorial Pavilion.

Campaigners say vandals caused much of the damage in September 2022, with Mr Wu agreeing to undertake emergency roof repairs two months later. (Photos: Udney Park Community Fields Foundation)

The group has expressed concerns that water ingress caused by the damage could lead to further deterioration of the pavilion's interior. (Photo: Udney Park Community Fields Foundation)

The group says "the building has fallen into such disrepair as to render future renovation work hugely expensive," describing its current condition as a "tragedy".

This is despite assurances from the owner in 2022 that emergency roof repairs would be carried out to help prevent damage to the pavilion's boilers and heating systems.

Founder of Udney Park Community Fields Foundation, Jonathan Dunn, told Nub News: "The objective of the Udney Park Trust for the last 10 years is to protect and maintain Udney Park for recreation for the benefit of the community.

"However, the current owner Mr Wu has broken commitments made to our MP, Councillors and community groups to maintain the War Memorial Pavilion for its future potential to serve the local sporting community. Hence, the Trust has now raised a formal Section 215 Complaint to Richmond Council."

advertisement

Nub News will continue to update its readers on this developing situation.