The High Court has ruled in favour of the All England Lawn Tennis Club's plans to expand the Wimbledon site, allowing the construction of 39 new courts including an 8,000-seat show court. The decision upholds the original planning permission granted by the Greater London Authority in September 2024.
The judicial review was brought by the campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP), which challenged the GLA's decision to allow the club to almost triple its size on the grounds of the old Wimbledon Park golf club. Mr Justice Saini dismissed the challenge, stating the decision was a planning judgment rationally exercised.
Deborah Jevans, chair of the All England Club, welcomed the ruling, saying it secures a permanent home for the Wimbledon qualifying competition and delivers 27 acres of new parkland for public use. She noted the land has been a private golf course for over 100 years.
Save Wimbledon Park said it had been advised to challenge the decision, claiming the GLA made a significant legal error regarding the park's special legal status. Director Christopher Coombe warned the judgment could set a worrying precedent for development on protected green belt and public open spaces.
Residents have opposed the loss of green space and predicted 10 years of disruption. The club counters that the private golf course will be converted into public parkland, and the expansion is necessary to maintain the tournament's prestige. The dispute dates back to a 1993 covenant restricting land use to leisure or open space.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the ruling, stating the plans will cement Wimbledon's reputation as the greatest tennis competition and bring economic, social, and environmental benefits to London and the UK.
