High Court Dismisses Challenge to Wimbledon Expansion Plans

Plans to nearly triple the size of the Wimbledon tennis site, including the construction of 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, will proceed following the High Court's dismissal of a legal challenge by the campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP). SWP had argued that the Greater London Authority's (GLA) decision to approve the development was unlawful, citing restrictions related to the site's status as a Grade II* listed heritage park and a statutory trust mandating public recreational use. The GLA and the All England Club defended the decision, with London’s deputy mayor for planning, Jules Pipe, stating the benefits of the project clearly outweigh any harm. The All England Club contends the expansion is necessary to stay competitive with other Grand Slam tournaments and will bring 27 acres of private golf course back into public use, including new parkland access and improvements to Wimbledon Lake. Critics, including local campaigners and comedian Andy Hamilton, have voiced concerns about environmental damage, the impact on biodiversity, and increased traffic and pollution during a decade of construction. The project had faced mixed local council reactions, with Merton Council approving and Wandsworth Council rejecting the plans, leading to mayoral intervention and eventual approval by the deputy mayor after the mayor recused himself due to prior support for the development.