Decision Looms on Wimbledon Tennis Proposal
Mayor set to announce his team's evaluation of controversial application
A visualisation of the show court planned as part of the scheme. Picture: AELTC
January 19, 2024
The next key decision relating to the All-England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) controversial application is set to be announced later this month.
A report has been prepared by Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe on the bid to build new tennis courts and a stadium on Wimbledon Park. The Mayor has recused himself from the final decision having previously spoken publicly of his support for the application.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has now confirmed that the outcome of the review will be announced on 29 January. It is involved in the planning process for this application because of the size of the scheme and because it is on Metropolitan Open Land.
As befitting for the nature of the application, the review is a tie-break as the development site crosses borough boundaries with Wandsworth’s planning committee having unanimously rejected the proposal and Merton’s equivalent body supporting it. Submissions have been made by both councils to the GLA for review in what is called a Stage 2 referral. Additional comments were provided to the GLA about the proposals although any made at the time of the original consultations held by the council’s will be considered.
The options open to the GLA are to direct refusal or approval, ‘call-in’ the application making the GLA the planning authority for the proposal or to refer it up to the Secretary of State who in this case would be Michael Gove.
Local London Assembly member Leonie Cooper has opposed the plan saying, “I think it will be detrimental for Wimbledon Park and for local people in terms of its impact on nature and the facilities that are available locally, that give people health and wellbeing opportunities.”
The £200million plan, described by AELTC as one of the greatest sporting transformations for London since 2012, would see 39 new courts built as well as a 8,000 seat stadium but has attracted significant opposition from local residents.
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