The All England Club’s contentious plan to build 39 new tennis courts, including an 8,000-seat stadium on protected open land opposite Wimbledon, has been approved despite significant local opposition.
London’s Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe supported the expansion, citing the community and economic benefits, which outweighed concerns about environmental harm. The project aims to bring Wimbledon’s qualifying rounds on-site, aligning with the other Grand Slam tournaments, and enhancing player facilities.
All England Club Chair Deborah Jevans expressed satisfaction with the approval, noting the development will ensure Wimbledon remains competitive on the global stage.
However, the proposal has faced strong resistance from local residents and groups such as Save Wimbledon Park, which fears the project will create a “huge industrial tennis complex” and have detrimental environmental effects.
Concerns have been raised about increased traffic, noise, and the loss of wildlife and green spaces, with some suggesting the development sets a dangerous precedent for building on protected land. Despite these objections, the All England Club maintains that the expansion will offer significant public benefits, including the creation of a 23-acre public park and community access to the courts after the tournament.
