WIMBLEDON SERVED EXPANSION PLAN REJECTION

Wandsworth Council has voted against the AELTC’s proposals for a Wimbledon expansion.

The AELTC had plans to build 39 new tennis courts, which included an 8,000-seater show court, on the former site of Wimbledon Park Golf Club but received criticism from officers at Wandsworth Council last week.

A Wandsworth Council statement claimed that the significant expansion to one of British sport’s most iconic venues ‘would result in the net loss of open space/green infrastructure, with no replacement provision provided.’

The AELTC had received from positive news when Merton Council, which is responsible for all but the most northerly part of the land, voted in favour of the scheme last month.

Its officers accepted the proposals would result in ‘physical harm’ to Metropolitan Open Land but concluded ‘very special circumstances’ meant ‘substantial public benefits would clearly outweigh the harm’.

Now that planning permission has been officially refused by Wandsworth Council, The Mayor of London’s office will have two weeks to deliver its own verdict.

Mayor Sadiq Khan could also opt to take over the application himself – a course of action also within the power of Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities.

AELTC Chief Executive, Sally Bolton, commented, “Naturally, we are disappointed by the London Borough of Wandsworth’s decision.

“Our proposals will deliver one of the greatest sporting transformations for London since 2012, alongside substantial benefits for the local community.

“We firmly believe the AELTC Wimbledon Park Project offers significant social, economic and environmental improvements, including turning 23 acres of previously private land into a new public park, alongside hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of pounds in economic benefits for our neighbours in Wandsworth, Merton and across London.”