The prestigious All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club faces a significant new obstacle in its ambitious expansion plans after a judge granted local residents permission to challenge the development in the Court of Appeal.
Legal Setback for Wimbledon's Grand Vision
Last year, the club received official approval from Jules Pipe, the London deputy mayor for planning and regeneration, to construct 39 new grass courts on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club. This decision was subsequently upheld by the High Court on 21 July. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Lord Justice Holgate has now granted a judicial review of that verdict, responding to a challenge from the Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) pressure group.
In his reasoning, Lord Justice Holgate stated that the grounds for appeal were "arguable with a real prospect of success". He emphasised that the case law concerning scheme benefits, deliverability, and material considerations warranted a thorough review by a higher court.
A David vs Goliath Planning Dispute
The resident-led SWP group vehemently opposes the development, which they describe as creating a "tennis industrial complex" that would cause significant environmental damage. They accuse the All England Club of failing to properly consult with the local community.
Christopher Coombe, a local lawyer supporting the campaign, clarified their position: "SWP has never been anti-tennis. We believe that it is high time for the AELTC to recognise the raft of legal and principled problems with its proposals and sit down and talk constructively with SWP and the local community."
This legal challenge is just one front in a broader battle. The group is also pursuing two other legal avenues:
- A separate court case in January to determine if the land could be subject to a "statutory trust" for public recreation.
- A potential challenge to a "restrictive covenant" from 1993, in which the AELTC promised never to develop the land.
In a powerful statement, Save Wimbledon Park framed the conflict as a "David and Goliath struggle" against a "rich and well-connected corporate developer."
All England Club Remains Confident
Despite this legal setback, the All England Club remains steadfast in its commitment to the expansion, which would triple the size of its current grounds. A club spokesperson expressed confidence, stating: "We are confident that the Court of Appeal will ultimately judge that the High Court made the correct decision in upholding the Greater London Authority’s grant of planning permission."
The club emphasises the transformative nature of the project, comparing it to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They also highlight a key benefit for locals: the plans would open up 27 acres of new parkland to the public, providing access to green space that had been a private golf club for over a century, and create a permanent home for the Wimbledon qualifying competition.
This ruling sets the stage for a decisive legal showdown that will determine the future of one of London's most iconic sporting institutions and its surrounding community.
