Plans to expand Wimbledon are facing a legal challenge as they go before the U.K. High Court. The All England Club, host of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, wants to add a third stadium court and 38 additional courts, tripling its size at a cost of over £200 million. While the Greater London Authority granted planning permission in September, campaign group Save Wimbledon Park has instructed lawyers to challenge the decision, potentially leading to a judicial review.
The campaign group argues that there is a statutory trust that should protect the land from being developed, as the AELTC purchased the Wimbledon Park Golf Course in 2018. The AELTC will challenge this assertion in court, aiming to move forward with the expansion plans.
The AELTC believes that the expansion will bring social, economic, and cultural benefits to the area, creating new jobs and cementing Wimbledon’s status as a premier tennis competition. The new courts will allow for on-site qualifying events, bringing Wimbledon in line with other Grand Slam tournaments.
The timeline for the legal proceedings is uncertain, with no expected date for the judicial review. The AELTC aims to have the new courts operational by the early 2030s. This expansion is seen as crucial in maintaining Wimbledon’s prestige in the tennis world, and the All England Club is determined to see the project through despite legal challenges.
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