Wimbledon’s £200M Expansion Approved Despite Environmental Concerns

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has been granted approval for its £200M expansion project, which includes an 8,000-seater stadium and 38 new grass courts at Wimbledon. After three years of debates and environmental concerns, London’s deputy mayor officially endorsed the plans, marking a significant milestone in the development.

The project is expected to bring substantial economic benefits, contributing an estimated £336M annually to the UK economy. It also aims to boost Wimbledon’s reputation as a premier tennis destination by hosting qualifying rounds on-site, similar to other major Grand Slam tournaments.

Despite the approval, environmental activists, including the Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) group, expressed concerns over the potential destruction of protected parkland. Local politicians, including Putney MP Fleur Anderson and Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler, have also voiced their opposition, raising issues about transparency and the impact on green spaces.

In response, AELTC pledged to create a new public park, de-silt and de-culvert a lake, and preserve veteran trees as part of the project’s environmental initiatives. The expansion promises to enhance both local recreational opportunities and the global prestige of Wimbledon.