Christopher BarrettThe All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) dramatic expansion plan, involving 39 new grass courts, including a new 8,000-seat show court, has been approved by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
AELTC said its planned transformation of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course, adjacent to the world-famous SW19 home of the Wimbledon Championships, will enable it to bring the Wimbledon qualifying event on-site for the first time.
The development is expected to enable the Wimbledon Championships’ daily capacity to be expanded from 42,000 to 50,000, and bring the event’s facilities in line with the ever-improving standards of the other grand slams tennis tournaments.
AELTC said once the project is completed, the economic boost to London from The Championships is expected to exceed £300 million, alongside the creation of more than 250 new jobs, as well as many hundreds of jobs throughout the project’s construction phase.
All England Club chair Deborah Jevans said, “We are delighted that the Greater London Authority has resolved to approve our applications to transform the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course.
“Our proposals will deliver 27 acres of newly accessible parkland for the community and enable us to bring the qualifying competition for The Championships onsite, with all of the substantial economic and employment opportunities this presents.
“Every stage of this project will be delivered with a meticulous attention to detail and the utmost respect for both our neighbours and the environment.
“We look forward to working with all parties to bring this vision to life, delivering one of London’s greatest sporting transformations since the 2012 Games, and securing Wimbledon’s future at the pinnacle of world sport.”
Jules Pipe CBE, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and the fire service, said, “These plans for the site of a former private golf course will bring significant benefits to the local area, the wider capital and the UK economy, providing increased access to open green space and sport, new parkland and a host of new jobs.
“Hosting qualifying events on the same site as the Championships will put Wimbledon on a global footing with other Grand Slam tournaments and ensure it remains one of the world’s top sporting events. The scheme brings a huge range of economic, social and cultural benefits which will contribute to building a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”