Ambitious plans to transform the Wimbledon tennis championships have been hit by a significant legal delay, prolonging a bitter four-year dispute over the future of a prized London location.
Court Battle Escalates Over Parkland
The Save Wimbledon Park campaign group has secured the right to appeal a High Court verdict that previously upheld planning permission for the All England Lawn Tennis Club's (AELTC) massive expansion project. This development represents a fresh setback for the tournament organisers, who had celebrated a seeming victory in July when a judge rejected the group's initial request for a judicial review.
The core of the legal battle revolves around the AELTC's proposal to triple the size of the current tournament site by building on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club land. Campaigners have consistently argued that this development is unlawful.
A Clash of Visions for Protected Land
A spokesperson for Save Wimbledon Park framed the conflict as a 'David and Goliath struggle', characterising the All England Club as a 'rich and well-connected corporate developer'. The group's central legal argument hinges on a covenant from 1993, which they claim legally binds the AELTC to never build on the land it acquired from the London Borough of Merton at a reduced price.
Despite the latest legal hurdle, there remains confidence within the AELTC that the 73-acre expansion will ultimately proceed. The headline plans are undeniably transformative, featuring 38 new tennis courts and a new 8,000-seat stadium. The most optimistic timelines now suggest construction could begin in 2027, with the potential for qualifying matches to be held on the new grounds by 2032.
A Complicated Path Forward
This new appeal adds another layer to an already complex legal situation. A separate, but related, High Court case scheduled for January will determine whether a statutory trust exists on the former golf course land.
In response to the appeal grant, an AELTC spokesperson expressed confidence, stating they believe the Court of Appeal will uphold the original decision. They emphasised the project's public benefits, saying it will deliver 27 acres of new parkland for public use, creating access to green space that was previously a private golf club for over a century. The club claims the vast majority of local residents support the development and its associated benefits.
