A local campaign group will be appealing against the planning approval secured by All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) for Wimbledon Park’s expansion.
The Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) campaign group yesterday confirmed that it has been given permission to take its case to the Court of Appeal.
Planning permission for the AELTC to develop the former Wimbledon Park golf course was granted by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in November 2024, with the High Court backing the GLA’s decision in July this year.
However, the Court of Appeal has now confirmed that the High Court’s verdict ‘requires legal scrutiny’, according to SWP.
A spokesman for SWP said: ‘We are delighted with the grant of permission. There are a number of important flaws in the planning decisions which need to be resolved and we hope to be able to press ahead quickly with the appeal’.
They added: ‘This is a David and Goliath struggle. The AELTC is a rich and well-connected corporate developer which has worked for decades to take over a substantial part of this highly protected public park for its own purposes.’
A GLA spokesperson said: ‘The Mayor believes this scheme will bring a significant range of benefits including environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits to the local area, the wider capital and the UK economy.
It will create new jobs, public green spaces and cement Wimbledon’s reputation as the greatest tennis competition in the world.
‘With legal proceedings ongoing, it is inappropriate to comment further at this stage.’
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