Wimbledon expansion gets the green light from GLA
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s (AELTC) plans to expand Wimbledon have been approved by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Once complete, the plans will see Wimbledon almost triple in size, expanding from 41 to 115 acres.
The AELTC is intent on transforming the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course into 39 new grass tennis courts, having first submitted its planning application in July 2021.
This will include a new 8,000-seat stadium, as well as a new 27-acre parkland space, which will be open to the public.
According to the AELTC, Wimbledon will generate more than £300m for the London economy when the redevelopment is complete, with the project set to create 250 new jobs.
The redevelopment will also increase the Wimbledon’s green area accessible to the public by 50%.
Through the project, 1500 new trees will be planted, as the club increases its biodiversity by 10%.
The proposed expansion however has drawn criticism from local residents over fears of environmental damage caused by the project, as well as the destruction of wildlife.
Save Wimbledon Park, an opposition group which launched in 2022, has expressed concerns that the redevelopment could turn the area into a “huge industrial tennis complex”.
A petition launched by Save Wimbledon Park has garnered almost 21,000 signatures at the time of writing.
“Every stage of this project will be delivered with a meticulous attention to detail and the utmost respect for both our neighbours and the environment,” said Deborah Jevans, Chair of the All England Club.
“We look forward to working with all parties to bring this vision to life, delivering one of London’s greatest sporting transformations since the 2012 Games, and securing Wimbledon’s future at the pinnacle of world sport.”
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