The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) seems to be on the brink of victory in its protracted struggle to construct 39 new courts at Wimbledon Park, as the Greater London Authority has suggested that the project should be greenlit. The plans have sparked significant controversy, with local residents expressing concerns about a decade of disruption and the emergence of a vast 'tennis industrial complex' that would remain inactive for much of the year. Nevertheless, officials at the GLA recommended on Thursday that the deputy mayor grant conditional planning permission during a public hearing on September 27.
In a 221-page report, the officials concluded that the project largely adhered to relevant planning policies and that there were 'no material considerations that would justify the refusal of consent'. The report also highlighted that the proposal would generate £336m in annual benefits and create 40 year-round jobs along with 256 Championship jobs. The AELTC has contended that it requires a third 8,000-seat show court, alongside 38 additional grass courts primarily for qualifying matches and enhanced practice facilities, to maintain Wimbledon's status as the world's premier tennis tournament. However, residents argue that this will lead to environmental harm and a loss of green spaces on protected metropolitan open land (MOL).
Merton council initially endorsed the plans, but the proposal was escalated to the GLA after Wandsworth council rejected it in November. The land in question spans both boroughs. The full planning hearing is scheduled for September 27 at City Hall, with a verdict likely to be delivered the same day. The decision will be made by Jules Pipe, the deputy mayor of London, as Mayor Sadiq Khan has recused himself from the process after publicly endorsing the plans in 2021.
Deborah Jevans, chair of the AELTC, welcomed the planning officers' decision, stating: 'We believe these plans will bring about one of the most significant sporting transformations for London since 2012. The land we propose to enhance has been a private members' golf course for over 100 years, and as part of this project, we will create 27 acres of new parkland, freely accessible to the public.' However, Labour MP for Putney and Southfields, Fleur Anderson, along with local leaders, expressed 'extreme disappointment' with the report. 'The AELTC plans, as they stand, are not fair for our constituents in Wandsworth,' she said, adding that they would continue to collaborate with local campaigners and residents to make their case.
Jonathan Morrish of Save Wimbledon Park echoed this sentiment, stating: 'The general direction of the report is not what we hoped for, and the acknowledgment of the loss of open space and harm to protected MOL is deeply distressing to local residents whose views have not been considered. We will be actively participating in the GLA meeting on September 27.'
