High Court Hears Case Against Wimbledon Expansion Plans by AELTC

LONDON — The High Court is currently evaluating legal challenges against the All England Lawn Tennis Club's (AELTC) proposed expansion plans for the Wimbledon tennis site, which seeks to transform the historic Wimbledon Park into a facility featuring 39 tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium. The campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) argues that the land in question is protected from development by legal restrictions and that the Greater London Authority (GLA) failed to consider these restrictions adequately.

The case, which is being heard by Mr. Justice Saini, centers around the legal status of Wimbledon Park, a Grade II*-listed heritage site designed by renowned landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown. According to SWP's legal counsel, Sasha White KC, the proposed development encompasses an area equivalent to 50 football pitches and would significantly increase the existing number of tennis courts from 41 to 80.

In their arguments, SWP contends that the land was acquired by the AELTC with the understanding that it would remain available for public recreational use under a statutory trust that prohibits development. They assert that the GLA's decision to approve the AELTC's plans ignored these legal covenants. "The covenants maintain the openness of the golf course land; prevent development; and restrict its use so as not to impair the appreciation of the general public of the extent or openness of the golf course land," White stated during the proceedings.

The AELTC, which purchased the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club land in 1993 and acquired the leasehold in 2021, insists that their development plans, which include additional maintenance buildings and enhancements to the nearby Wimbledon Lake, are lawful. Mark Westmoreland Smith KC, representing the GLA, defended the decision to grant planning permission, asserting it was a proper planning judgment. Russell Harris KC, representing the AELTC, argued that the GLA had considered the trust and covenants but deemed them not material to the planning process.

The expansion proposal has garnered significant public attention and opposition. Campaigners have raised £200,000 to support their legal challenge, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of Wimbledon Park. This expansion effort comes after Merton Council approved the plans, while Wandsworth Council rejected them, leading to intervention by the mayor's office, which ultimately granted planning permission in 2022. Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor, previously expressed support for the project but recused himself from the decision-making process due to potential conflicts of interest.

The implications of the legal case extend beyond the immediate expansion plans, raising critical questions about land use, public access, and heritage preservation in urban London. A judgment from the High Court is expected in the coming weeks, which could set a precedent for similar future developments in protected areas across the United Kingdom.

As this legal battle unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tension between urban development and the preservation of historical sites, a crucial discourse as cities strive to balance growth with heritage conservation. The outcome may not only impact the future of Wimbledon Park but could also influence planning policies and community activism in other parts of London and beyond.