London Deputy Jules Pipe has given the go-ahead for the controversial Wimbledon Park extension by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
The ambitious proposal covers significant developments, notably the provision of 38 new grass tennis courts and associated infrastructure. This includes the re-profiling of the landscape and careful management of the area’s greenery, involving the removal, retention, and replanting of trees.
The plan also outlines the construction of seven satellite maintenance buildings and a boardwalk around the perimeter of and across Wimbledon Park Lake. Alterations to the lake are also included, such as lake edge modifications, de-silting, and de-culverting. Important infrastructure work will extend to highway improvements on Church Road and new pedestrian access points at the northern and southern ends of the site. Additionally, new vehicular access points and the creation of a fresh parkland area with permissive public access form a key part of the development.
In a move to modernise and expand, the AELTC has sought outline planning permission for new buildings and structures, with specific focus on appearance, access, landscaping, and scale to be determined later. This includes a new 8,000-seat parkland show court incorporating a qualifying player hub, guest facilities, and associated event operational facilities.
The approval came following a letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government on September 27, stating, “The Secretary of State has decided not to call in these applications. She is content that it should be determined by the Greater London Authority.”
Jules Pipe emphasised, “It was right for the All England Lawn Tennis Club to be granted planning permission to expand from 41 to 115 hectares on the site of the old Wimbledon Park golf course.”
This significant extension aims not only to bolster London’s status as a world-class sporting venue but also to enhance the ecological and recreational value of the Wimbledon Park area. With careful planning and community engagement, the AELTC hopes to create a harmonious blend of modern sports facilities and green public spaces.
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