Twickenham MP Munira Wilson has lent her support to a community bid to purchase Udney Park playing fields for local people and sports groups.

Last year a proposal to build 107 extra-care housing units, a GP surgery and sports facilities on the playing fields in Teddington was thrown out by a planning inspector after an appeal inquiry.

In February, owners and developers Quantum told Richmond Council that they intended to sell the site.

But as the fields are an Asset of Community Value (ACV) they can legally only be sold to community groups over the next six months.

That’s where Jonathan Dunn, club chairman of Thamesians RFC, comes in.

He is now leading the bid to purchase the fields through a group called Udney Park Community Fields Trust, with support from other local clubs including Hearts of Teddlothian FC, Tennis for Teddington, and Teddington RFC.  They hope to keep the land as green frields for local clubs to play on in perpetuity.

Ms Wilson, a Lib Dem MP, described the fields a “rare open space within our constituency where community sports teams can train and play.”

She said it is “a great local asset” and pledged her full support to the community bid.

“There is so much potential for the site to be brought back into full use and for the pavilion, which was built in 1922 as a war memorial, to be renovated,” she said.

“It was inspiring to meet coaches and children from Teddlothian FC who have more than 650 members and are in search of a home. Likewise, Thamesians RFC have thriving men’s and women’s teams, but the option of a permanent home would allow them to expand their provision of rugby for children.

“The site also contains tennis courts which have been brought back into use by Tennis for Teddington with the support of Teddington RFC. There are future plans for a jogging track, cricket pitches, children’s playground and outdoor gym equipment, further expanding the ways local residents and sports coaches could use the site.”