Planning Approval Advances Wimbledon Expansion Project.

Tennis General

Planning Approval Advances Wimbledon Expansion Project.

The All England Club's plans to add 39 new tennis courts on Wimbledon Park have received a significant boost.

Greater London Authority (GLA) officers have recommended that the Deputy Mayor grant conditional planning permission for the All England Club's expansion plans at a public hearing next Friday.

Merton Council has approved the plans, but they were sent to the GLA after Wandsworth Council rejected them last November. 

Officers believe the proposal meets most planning policies and argue that there are no strong reasons to deny it, despite concerns about losing open space and affecting protected land.

The plans include 39 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seater stadium on Wimbledon Park. 

The new courts would host Wimbledon qualifiers on-site, and the All England Club has promised to create a new 23-acre public park, inspired by landscape architect Capability Brown's original design.