Blow To Wimbledon Expansion Plan As It Receives Recommendation To Refuse Planning Permission
The plans, including 39 grass tennis courts as well as an 8,000 seater showcourt, have proved controversial, and been received with increasing objections from residents, environmental groups and even local MPs.
The tennis courts were to be built on the Grade II*‑listed former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, and the plans had previously been agreed by Merton Council’s planning committee. However, as a part of the park is in neighbouring Wandsworth , permission was needed from both councils and the mayor of London.
On Monday, Wandsworth council planning officers provided the first stumbling block to the expansion, by recommending that councillors vote to refuse the plans.
Following this, the All England Lawn Tennis Club said in a statement: “We are surprised that planning officers at the London Borough of Wandsworth have recommended refusal of the AELTC Wimbledon Park Project, particularly after the London Borough of Merton resolved to approve the application following extensive analysis and debate both in their officers’ report and at the planning committee.
“We regret that Wandsworth’s officers have taken a different view but it is for councillors on the planning applications committee to make their own considered decision at the meeting at November 21st.
“We firmly believe the AELTC Wimbledon Park Project will deliver substantial social, economic and environmental benefits including 23 acres of newly accessible green space alongside hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of pounds in economic benefits for our neighbours in Wandsworth, Merton and across London.”
In contrast, Fleur Anderson, the Labour MP for Putney, said: “I am delighted that Wandsworth council planning officers have recommended that the AELTC proposals for Wimbledon Park be refused. Wimbledon Park is protected, Grade II*‑listed metropolitan open land. This means that ‘very special circumstances’ must be proved for it to be built on.
“Wandsworth council planning officers have not found that these ‘very special circumstances’ exist and so have recommended the plans be refused. The campaign continues. Our precious green space must be defended. But this is a very positive step in the right direction.”
It is expected that Wandsworth councillors will meet on Tuesday, November 21st to vote on the plans and their planning officer’s recommendation.
