Key Points
- Quantum Group sold Udney Park playing fields in Teddington to Mr Wu of Leisure Focus after failed development plans.
- Community bids, including one for £2 million, have been rejected as Mr Wu demands £3.5 million.
- A mystery bidder previously showed interest, but no sale has materialised amid ongoing negotiations.
- Local groups criticise Savills brochure for overstating development potential on protected green space.
- Udney Park remains designated as an Asset of Community Value, with support from sports bodies like RFU and ECB.
- New legislation on Community Right to Buy may influence future bids, though its impact is unclear.
richmond-upon-thames/teddington/">Teddington (West London News) January 13, 2026 – The long-running battle over Udney Park playing fields continues with no resolution in sight.
Current owner Mr Wu seeks £3.5 million, far exceeding community fundraising efforts, leaving the 12-hectare site’s future uncertain after years of disputes.
What is the latest on Udney Park’s ownership?
Udney Park in Teddington, once Imperial College private grounds, changed hands multiple times amid fierce local opposition to development. Quantum Group purchased the site for £6 million in 2015 without planning permission, despite bids from groups like Harlequins Rugby Club.
Quantum’s Affordable Housing & Healthcare scheme failed to gain approval from Richmond Council, with a planning appeal dismissed by a government inspector in April after a four-year battle. The Teddington Society and Udney Park Playing Fields Trust opposed the plans, while Teddington Community Sports Ground supported them.
Following the defeat, Quantum marketed the fields through Savills, describing it as a unique development opportunity in south west London. A mystery bidder emerged, but details remain unclear whether commercial or sporting interests drove the offer. London West reported the bid came after a community group’s £2 million proposal was turned down.
As reported by Tilly O’Brien of Nub News, negotiations with Mr Wu of Leisure Focus, who acquired the site from Quantum, collapsed in October 2025 when he insisted on £3.5 million, stating he would not sell at a loss.
Why have community efforts to buy Udney Park failed?
Jonathan Dunn, chair of the Udney Park Community Fields Association, updated supporters as the latest Asset of Community Value moratorium expired. Mr Wu marketed the site for 12 months, attracting one offer from a developer named Mr Williams that later fell through. The community’s bid, valuing the land as playing fields without development, was rejected outright.
According to UK Property Forums, the Udney Park Playing Fields Trust welcomed the planning dismissal and pushed a charitable Plan B to preserve the site for ecology and community sports. A local resident described it as opening all fields to the public without traffic or pollution from buildings.
How have locals reacted to the sales efforts?
Groups in Teddington slammed a Savills brochure released last year for inaccuracy and optimism about development potential, especially for the car park and pavilion. Philip Barnes of Friends of Udney Park called it misleading, noting the site’s Local Green Space status and planning constraints that would render fields unusable if built upon.
Hampton Wick Councillor Robin Brown backed the community bid, rejecting Savills’ claims and urging Quantum to sell to locals. He noted support from councillors and the local MP, citing the planning judgement and policies against development. Jonathan Dunn reported open talks with Savills but stressed the need for a price both sides could accept.
What role have sports organisations played in the saga?
Supporters of community ownership include the Rugby Football Union and English Cricket Board, highlighting the scarcity of playing fields in west London. When sold in 2015, then-Mayor Boris Johnson labelled potential loss an absolute scandal.
The Udney Park Community Fields Foundation gained backing from hounslow/brentford/">Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and fulham-fc/">Fulham FC Foundation. Lee Doyle, CEO of Brentford FC CST, endorsed the effort to deliver multi-sports programmes on the fields.
Discussions hit a brick wall as per Teddington Town reports, with the future uncertain despite informal meetings with councillors like Robin Brown.
The saga underscores tensions between preserving green spaces in affluent suburbs and property investment pressures, with all eyes on Mr Wu’s next move. Community groups continue fundraising and lobbying, bolstered by potential new right-to-buy laws progressing through Parliament.
