The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club's £200 million expansion plans have cleared a major legal hurdle after the High Court rejected a challenge from campaigners. The scheme aims to treble the size of the historic site by developing a former golf course to include 39 new courts.
Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park argued that the land is subject to a statutory trust requiring its preservation for public recreation. However, Judge Nicholas Thompsell ruled that the land was never dedicated to public recreation and could be sold without imposing a public trust.
AELTC chair Deborah Jevans welcomed the decision, stating it allows the club to maintain Wimbledon's status as a top sporting event while delivering 27 acres of new public parkland. Save Wimbledon Park has announced its intention to seek permission to appeal the ruling.
The legal victory follows a separate challenge last summer where the group contested planning permission granted by the Greater London Authority. That initial challenge was rejected, but the group has been granted permission to appeal that decision as well.
