The proposal to expand Wimbledon’s facilities, including a new 8,000-seat stadium, faces opposition from local groups and councils, with the Greater London Authority stepping in to make the final call.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) revealed its revised proposal for the expansion of Wimbledon’s facilities, including a new 8,000-seat stadium and 39 additional tennis courts, originally aiming to nearly triple the size of its current grounds on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course. Despite the multi-million-pound development receiving some support from Merton Council, local opposition led by the Save Wimbledon Park group and Wandsworth Council has resulted in the intervention of the Greater London Authority (GLA) to make the final decision.
The proposal has been met with criticism from local anti-expansion campaigners, who argue that the four extra acres of public parkland included in the club’s revised plan, making a total of 27 acres, are insufficient. They believe that the expansion would transform the area into an “industrial tennis complex” with limited public access, thereby impacting the community’s recreational space and overall well-being.
In defense of the plans, AELTC chair Debbie Jevans emphasized the club’s commitment to enhancing the site’s environmental and social aspects, alongside promoting economic growth and job creation. The upcoming decision by the GLA is set to occur after this year’s Wimbledon championships, with the project’s completion timeline pushed beyond the initial 2030 target due to extended administrative processes.
