An update from the organiser of the community bid for Udney Park playing fields, Jonathan Dunn, following our article two weeks ago announcing the bid.

It has been a busy couple of weeks since the community bid to buy Udney Park playing fields was announced.

Since then it has become increasingly apparent that there is a dearth of space for community sport in the borough.

More junior clubs are seeking space than can possibly be accommodated on the 12.5 acres at Udney Park, but nonetheless the fields can be a significant contribution to solving the problem.

I have been asked more than once about the Operating Company which will run the fields. Just to be clear, the intention is that this will be a non-profit making organisation with all surplus revenue reinvested in to the facilities. There is absolutely no possibility of a commercial venture, with the pavilion being converted to a pub/restaurant as one person suggested. The 1920's pavilion will not just provide facilities for the sporting clubs but will hopefully also be a vibrant community hub for local groups and charities. This is a cornerstone of the proposal.

I had not realised until relatively recently that there is a new Sports Ministry project based at St Peter and St Paul in Teddington. Chris Kennedy is the 'Pioneer Sports Minister' and there is an enormous synergy between his aims and what we are trying to achieve at Udney Park. I look forward to working closely with Chris as plans are developed.

I also met John Blackwell, representing the residents of Fullerton Court. It was great to have his support for the plans as the residents of Fullerton Court are most affected by any changes to the fields, as they directly overlook the site, and unlike the other residences around the perimeter of the fields they are not separated by a road and a line of trees.

Local resident Steve Hill, the Director of Rugby for Richmond RFC, was also supportive and offered me great advice on the running of a sports facility as well as offering valuable coaching support.

I have also spoken with St Mary's University about the possibility of a link-up whereby those students who are completing courses in coaching, would be able to get valuable hands-on experience in assisting with the coaching of the community clubs

Later this week I am hoping to get more specific sporting advice from Sports England, who have convened a meeting with representatives of the national sporting bodies (FA, RFU, LTA, English netball and ECB) to assist in developing a more thorough business proposal.

There has been support across the political spectrum, and I also had a very useful meeting with Chas Warlow, the Green Party candidate for the Hampton Wick ward. Chas took a real interest in what we were trying to achieve. His feedback was positive: "it sounds exciting and I fully support community ownership as a way to keep the playing fields - and the inherent green space - available to public users and community organisations."

Chas and I spoke about the very legitimate ecological concerns surrounding Udney Park. In particular I explained to Chas that there is a bat roost on the boundary of the site and a dark corridor along the boundary along which the bats fly to feed. The sporting solution needs to be sensitive to all of this, particularly in considering a sports lights solution. Equally midweek evening training is vital for the community clubs between weekend fixtures. This creates an apparent conflict between wildlife and sport, but I believe this can be resolved by consideration and compromise.

The solution is to restrict the ad hoc use of sports lights across the area of the park, and to position any sports lights having considered the ecological impact. Although floodlights have been in regular use at Udney Park for a number of years, this has not always been in an environmentally friendly manner – the lighting towers that have been used are last generation which spill both light and noise, thus disrupting residents and bats alike. Modern sports lights create zero noise and light spillage, and by adopting modern technology, together with sensitivity on location of the lighting and hours of use, I am confident that this hurdle can be overcome.

So all positive news. Anyone who would like to find out more please feel free to contact me via [email protected].

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