The on-going saga of the future of the Teddington sports ground continues amid reports that College have stepped efforts to obtain planning permission for re-development of the site. The news is significant, because College is unlikely to realise the full value of any sale if it is to remain a recreational ground.

Lorne McEwan, ICSMU President, has vowed to fight to keep the ground. Inherited from St Mary's Medical School, Teddington is the home of most ICSM sports clubs - including the Medic Rugby Club, which is recognised as one of the best University rugby clubs in the country. In addition to several rugby and soccer pitches, the site also offers a cricket square, tennis and netball courts.

Mr McEwan accepted that Imperial has "too many sports grounds", but pointed out that "Teddington is ... the best". However, Teddington would be the most valuable ground in any potential sale. A sale may actually benefit students, as at least some of the money would be used to fund the development of the new Sports Centre at South Kensington. It would also allow College to concentrate on the maintenance of the larger sports grounds at Harlington and Cobham. Ominously, both Hamish Common, ICU President, and Sam Sharpe, Deputy President (Clubs & Societies) declined to comment.