Wimbledon’s controversial expansion plans get the green light – The Irish Times

Wimbledon’s controversial expansion plans have been given the green light by the Greater London Authority.

The decision by Jules Pipe, London’s deputy mayor for planning, means the All England Club proposes to build 39 new courts, including an 8,000-seat spectacle court, at the adjacent former Wimbledon Park Golf Club and almost triple the size of your current location. looks ready to move on.

The decision was expected after GLA planning officers recommended granting permission, and Pipe cited the sporting, financial and community benefits for the tournament and the city.

“In summary, the proposed development would facilitate very significant benefits,” he said. “I agree with my leaders that these benefits clearly outweigh the harms.”

Central to the Wimbledon case has been the desire to hold its qualifying competition, which is currently held in nearby Roehampton, on its own grounds.

Chair Debbie Jevans said: “We are delighted that the Greater London Authority has decided to approve our applications to transform the former Wimbledon Park golf course.

“Our proposals will deliver 27 acres of newly accessible parkland to the community and allow us to bring the Championship qualifying competition to the site, with all the substantial economic and employment opportunities this presents.

“Every step of this project will be delivered with meticulous attention to detail and the utmost respect for our neighbors and the environment.

“We look forward to working with all parties to bring this vision to life, delivering one of London’s biggest sporting transformations since the 2012 Games and ensuring Wimbledon’s future at the pinnacle of global sport.”

Another boost for the All England Club came with the news that Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has decided not to pursue the bid, leaving legal challenges as the only avenue open to protesters hoping to stop development.

The Mayor of London’s office took charge of the application in January, after Merton Council approved the plans and Wandsworth Council rejected them late last year.

The land for the proposed expansion is mainly in Merton, but a section of it is in Wandsworth.

Mayor Sadiq Khan withdrew from the process, having previously expressed public support for the development, leaving the matter in Pipe’s hands.

The plans were first presented to Merton in 2021, three years after the All England Club bought out the golf club’s members with the intention of developing the land, and the issue has become increasingly acrimonious.

Protesters gathered in front of City Hall before the hearing and several spoke at City Hall during a morning session that lasted more than three hours.

Laughter could be heard at several points, while, after a GLA planning officer explained why he had recommended that the deputy mayor approve the scheme, a man shouted “shame on you”.

Fleur Anderson, MP for Putney, said giving the scheme the green light would set “a dangerous precedent at London and national level”, while Christopher Coombe, from the Save Wimbledon Park group, added: “Approval at this stage would be truly shocking. The land was protected forever.”

Objectors also included Richard Rees, who was previously the lead planner for the construction of Wimbledon’s Court One and the Henman Hill development.

Those against the plans believe the damage it would cause to open grounds is not justified, while the All England Club argues it needs to expand to keep up with the other Grand Slams, which have invested heavily in improving their venues in recent years.

The proposal includes publicly accessible parks and community developments, such as work at Wimbledon Park Lake.