Wimbledon Expansion In Doubt Amid Local Objections

The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club’s proposed $250 million expansion of its grounds to stage Wimbledon has run into growing local opposition — putting the project’s future in doubt.

Two weeks after a Merton planning committee approved plans to build 39 courts, including an 8,000-seat stadium — allowing the All England Club to hold its qualifying events on site — planning officers in the neighboring London borough of Wandsworth are recommending refusal of the project, due primarily to its scale.

A report published by the Wandsworth council found that the construction would “remove a substantial area of the historic landscape, disrupt historic views, and detract from the open character of the parkland and the conversation area.” The 73-acre site spans parts of both Merton and Wandsworth. 

The matter is due to head to the full Wandsworth council next week and then the Greater London Authority for approval. 

The All England Club said they were “surprised” with the latest findings. “We regret that Wandsworth’s officers have taken a different view, but it is for councillors [sic] on the planning applications committee to make their own considered decision,” it said. “We firmly believe the AELTC Wimbledon Park project will deliver substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits.”

Wimbledon is the only one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments to not hold its qualifying events on site — qualifiers are held several miles away at a smaller venue with a 2,000-person capacity.