High Court Supports Wimbledon Tennis Expansion Plans

The High Court has ruled in favor of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) regarding its expansion plans for Wimbledon, which include the construction of 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on land previously used as a golf course. The campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) argued that a statutory trust under the Public Health Act should keep the land as public space.

However, the court determined that when the AELTC purchased the freehold in 1993, the trust no longer applied. SWP intends to appeal the decision, claiming the land should remain dedicated to public recreation rather than private use.

Deborah Jevan, chairwoman of AELTC, stated that the ruling provides significant clarity and represents a milestone in delivering 27 acres of new public parkland, enhancing Wimbledon’s status in global sports events. The plans have also received approval from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for 2024.