The Mayor of London’s office has called in a controversial planning application to expand Wimbledon’s tennis grounds.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs the Wimbledon championships, wants to expand onto Wimbledon Park with the development of 39 new tennis courts, including an 8,000 seat ‘show court’.

The cross-boundary planning application was rejected by Wandsworth Council but approved by neighbouring Merton.

The mayor’s office said yesterday: ‘This is a major planning application of London-wide significance.

‘Therefore, the deputy mayor has issued a direction under Article 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order that he becomes the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the application.’

Last year, London mayor Sadiq Khan recused himself from involvement in the decision because he publicly expressed his support for the plans in 2021, so his planning powers have been delegated to his deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, Jules Pipe.

A full planning hearing will be held ‘in due course’, but the upcoming London mayoral election means it is uncertain when this will take place.

Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park said it was glad that the mayor’s office would review the decision.

The group’s chair, Iain Simpson, said: ‘If this application were to proceed this would open the floodgates for development on green spaces simply to further the commercial activities of a private members’ club.

‘These green spaces are not called London’s lungs for nothing. They are areas for people’s health, recreation and well-being that have never been more needed.’