Wimbledon Expansion Receives Crucial Local Approval, Moves Closer to 2030 Launch

Merton Council grants approval for construction of 39 new courts and an 8,000-seat stadium using former golf course land, despite local opposition and environmental concerns; plans still require approval from Wandsworth Council and the Mayor of London.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) plans to expand the Wimbledon Championships with a new 8,000-seater stadium and 39 new courts on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club.
The local Merton Council's planning committee has granted permission for the expansion, despite strong opposition from local residents and environmental concerns.
Significant opposition compared the proposed expansion to a 'climate crime scene' and an 'industrial tennis complex with an unacceptable environmental impact'. Over 13,000 signatures were collected in a petition against the project.
The AELTC still needs the approval from Wandsworth Council and the Mayor of London for the plans, increasing the possibility of a judicial review challenging the lawfulness of the decision.
The proposal aims to bring the Wimbledon qualifying tournament on site, aligning with the other three Grand Slam tournaments, and would allow up to 10,000 people a day to watch the qualifying tournament.
The AELTC's plans will also include the creation of a new 23-acre public park, removing silt from the lake and installing a new boardwalk, boosting economic growth, and more employment in Merton area.