Campaigners opposing Wimbledon's expansion plans say they are "ready for the next stage of the fight" despite the All England Club making a major step towards carrying out the developments.
In 2018, Wimbledon Park Golf Club voted to sell its land to the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the latter of whom announced their intention to use the 73-acre site to expand the venue of the grasscourt Grand Slam.
The AELTC's plans consist of building a new Parkland Show Court with seating capacity of 8,000, as well as adding 38 more grass courts so that the qualifying rounds for Wimbledon can be held onsite and fan attendance can be increased to 50,000 per day.
However, a considerable amount of local residents and environmental activists have been among those vocally opposing the developments since their revelation. Reasons for this include several environmental concerns and an agreement made between Merton Council and the AELTC in 1993 which promised to keep the area as an open space. One petition against the plans was signed by over 8,500 people, while the Wimbledon Society formally requested its objection to the proposal.
Nevertheless, it was revealed on Monday, October 17, that planning officers had recommended Merton Council's planning committee for grant permission in order to continue with the expansion plans. Councillors from both Merton Council and Wandsworth Council, who represent the local areas affected by the developments, will vote on the proposal on Thursday, October 26.
Despite this early, yet major, step for the All England Club, campaigners have declared that they will continue to oppose the build.
"We are disappointed but not surprised by the report. We believe that common sense in the long run will prevail because all the objections we have made over the last two-and-a-half years are valid," said Iain Simpson, chair of Save Wimbledon Park.
"To say that there will be ‘no significant adverse effects’ is extraordinary when they plan to flatten and bulldoze most of what is actually a 75-acre area when it is a grade one site of borough importance for nature conservation.
"This is a planning assessment only and separate permission will be needed to resolve ownership and rights before any development can or will proceed. This is only the beginning and we are ready for the next stage of the fight," he added.
Wimbledon's planning application for the biggest expansion in its history will go in front of Merton Council on October 26. The hearing has been repeatedly delayed after attracting strong opposition from residents' groups, MPs and environmental bodies. tinyurl.com/AELTC-Expanding
