Wimbledon’s £200 Million Expansion Receives Green Light

The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s ambitious £200 million expansion project has officially been approved by the Greater London Authority (GLA), clearing the way for the world-renowned Wimbledon Championships to significantly grow its facilities. The expansion will see the construction of 39 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat show court on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club. The decision, made by Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, underscores the considerable benefits the project is expected to bring to both the local community and the broader economy.

The development will take place on protected open land adjacent to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, nearly tripling the size of the existing Wimbledon grounds. The expansion includes a new venue for Wimbledon’s qualifying matches, which are currently held off-site at Roehampton. The new courts will accommodate up to 10,000 spectators during the qualifying rounds, significantly boosting daily attendance during the Championships. This strategic move will centralise the tournament and enhance the overall spectator experience.

A highlight of the plan is the creation of a 23-acre public park, accessible year-round, except during the two weeks of the Championships. The park, designed to reflect historical landscape aesthetics, will feature a new boardwalk and improvements to local waterways, offering residents a valuable green space and leisure area.

Despite the GLA’s approval, the expansion has not been without controversy. The project has sparked significant local opposition, with critics concerned about potential development on protected land. Campaign groups, including Save Wimbledon Park, have voiced strong objections, fearing the transformation of the area into a “huge industrial tennis complex.” Local politicians have also expressed reservations, urging the All England Lawn Tennis Club to consider alternative expansion strategies that do not compromise open space.

With approval now granted, the All England Lawn Tennis Club is set to proceed with the next phase of planning and construction. However, potential legal challenges from opponents may yet delay progress.