The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has been given a boost in its plans to nearly triple the size of the existing Wimbledon site after a high court judge ruled it was not subject to land-use restrictions.
Wimbledon intends to construst 38 tennis courts and an 8,000 seat stadium on the site which formerly housed the Wimbledon Park Golf Club, meaning the qualifying tournament for the grand slam – currently held several miles away in Roehampton – could be moved on-site.
Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) had argued that the land earmarked was under a statutory trust under the Public Health Act 1875, which meant it had to be kept “for the purpose of being used as public walks or pleasure grounds” and therefore the development could not go ahead.
But lawyers for the club said the land was not subject to a trust and even if it had originally been, it would no longer apply after it bought the freehold in 1993.
High court judge Mr Justice Thompsell ruled on Thursday that the land was “unencumbered by any statutory trust” due to previously being used as a private golf club.
The ruling said: “It never became the subject of a statutory trust and therefore the 1986 lease and the 1993 transfer of the freehold were each made free of such trust.
“Even if the above proposition is wrong, it is clear that the land was never used or laid out for public recreation.”
AELTC chairwoman Deborah Jevans said: “The ruling represents a significant milestone for our plans, which will, as well as delivering 27 acres of beautiful new public parkland on previously private land, allow us to maintain Wimbledon’s position as one of the world’s most successful sporting events.”
SWP said it intends to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling is a major breakthrough for the AELTC in its plans to bring Wimbledon further in line with the other grand slams, who all hold qualifying on site.
In September 2024 it was granted approval by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to proceed with the plans, but that decision to grant planning permission is still the subject of legal action. SWP lost an initial high court challenge over the GLA’s approval of the scheme last July but will challenge that ruling at the court of appeal in due course.
SWP director Jeremy Hudson said: “Wimbledon can do better because there are existing, alternative plans which show that their scheme can be accommodated on their current site.
“This not only saves the environment but leaves the park free for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. These better plans would still allow [the club] to stage a qualifying tournament on site in keeping with the other grand slams. Therefore, we fight on.”
