The Wimbledon dream is back on shaky ground. In a stunning twist, Save Wimbledon Park has landed a second Court of Appeal challenge to scupper the All England Lawn Tennis Club's (AELTC) grand expansion plans. This latest hurdle comes hot on the heels of an earlier High Court victory for the club in March, which cleared the way for 38 new tennis courts, an 8,000-seat stadium, and a host of other upgrades at the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club site.
The AELTC's £200 million+ plans have been years in the making, but it seems they still haven't got all their ducks in a row. The Greater London Authority granted planning permission back in 2024, only for it to be upheld by the High Court after Save Wimbledon Park lodged a separate appeal last summer. But SWP's not one to give up – and now they've won the right to take the case further.
At the heart of this second challenge is the question of whether the land in question falls under the Public Health Act 1875, which could, theoretically, restrict its use for public recreation. The High Court ruled that it didn't, but SWP's lawyers think they've got a shot at reversing this decision.
Lord Justice Newey has given the green light for the appeal to proceed, suggesting there's some meat on the bones of SWP's case. But AELTC is holding firm, saying they're confident the Court of Appeal will back their original findings. And with local residents largely on board with the plans, you can bet the club is eager to get this done and dusted – ASAP.