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The decision to expand the Wimbledon tennis site is moving forward despite a legal challenge from a campaign group being dismissed by a High Court judge. The approved proposal includes the construction of thirty-eight new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium at the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club site in west London. Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) contended in court that the development was unlawful as the proposed land was protected.
Chairwoman of the All England Club, Deborah Jevans, expressed her delight with the court’s decision, while SWP hinted at potentially challenging the ruling. Barristers for SWP argued in court that the decision to approve the plans was irrational and should be overturned. However, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the All England Club defended the challenge, stating that the decision was a properly exercised planning judgment.
The proposed development would include maintenance buildings, access points, and parkland with public access in addition to the courts and associated infrastructure. The approval would allow the club to host Wimbledon qualifiers on-site. Following the court ruling, SWP expressed intentions to challenge the decision, citing a significant legal error by the GLA in handling the special legal status of the park. The plans were initially approved by Merton Council but rejected by Wandsworth Council before being taken over by City Hall.
The All England Club acquired the freehold for the golf course in 1993 and the leasehold in 2021. The land is subject to a statutory trust and restrictive covenants governing its use for public recreation. Separate legal proceedings are ongoing to determine if the statutory trust exists, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026. In response to concerns raised, the All England Club, GLA, and SWP presented their arguments in court, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the legal challenge. The ruling was welcomed by Sir Sadiq Khan and Ms. Jevans for its implications in establishing a permanent home for the Wimbledon qualifying competition and providing public access to new parkland
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