Wimbledon Faces Backlash Over Expansion Plans at Public Meeting
Wimbledon’s proposed expansion plans faced heavy criticism and ridicule at a recent public meeting attended by local residents, with one resident accusing the tennis club of trying to create a “tennis Disneyland”. The meeting drew a crowd of over 250 people, highlighting the strong opposition to the scheme to build 38 courts and a new 8,000-seat stadium on a neighboring golf course.
Notably, representatives from the All England Club were absent from the meeting, leading attendees to symbolically “empty-chair” them by placing a racket on an unoccupied seat. Members of Parliament for Putney and Wimbledon, Fleur Anderson and Stephen Hammond, both expressed their opposition to the project. Anderson described it as an “industrial-scale development in our park” and criticized the poor handling of consultations. She suggested that Wimbledon focus on developing its qualifying event site at Roehampton instead of encroaching on the golf course.
Hammond also voiced his concerns, calling the proposed plans inappropriate for Metropolitan Open Land and suggesting that the club should reconsider its plans entirely. He argued that the current application, which includes an excessive number of courts and an 8,000-seat stadium, is too large in scale.
Local property lawyer Christopher Coombe highlighted the potential legal complexities surrounding the application, including historical statutes relating to the Capability Brown-designed land, which may hinder development. Attendees expressed their concerns about the environmental impacts of the project, with some suggesting crowdfunding for potential legal action against any approval.
Despite some quieter residents in the area who may not object as strongly, the sentiment at the meeting was overwhelmingly against the expansion plans. Wimbledon, on the other hand, argues that expansion is necessary to keep up with other Grand Slam tournaments.
The resolution of the planning process is expected to take a significant amount of time. Despite several missed deadlines for consideration by Merton and Wandsworth Councils, it is possible that a hearing may take place in January, at the earliest. Following that, the London Mayor’s office and potentially the Secretary of State may become involved. The upcoming general election and elections for the Greater London Authority could further complicate the process.
Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, commented on the situation, stating that the proposals have undergone extensive assessment and consultation. They have held numerous guided tours and consultation events with local residents, with over 4,600 attendees expressing excitement about the plans.
Despite the backlash and ongoing controversy, Wimbledon’s expansion plans remain uncertain as the club faces significant opposition from local residents and the broader planning process.
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