Wimbledon to triple in size as expansion clears the courts
Efforts to almost triple the size of the grand slam venue in Wimbledon were fought by a campaign group seeking to use protected status against the planning authorities.
Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) took legal action against the Greater London Authority's (GLA) decision to grant planning permission last year.
The £200 million ($260 million) proposals cover construction of 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on the grounds of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, allowing it to host Wimbledon qualifiers on-site.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament that holds its qualifying rounds at a completely separate location. There are also too few practice courts in the current set-up, requiring some of the world's best players to share courts.
Debbie Jevans, chairwoman of the All England Club, has also claimed that the proposals would deliver 27 acres of 'newly accessible parkland for the community,' having previously operated as a private members golf club.
In written submissions, the petitioner's barrister Sasha White said that the All England Club acquired the freehold for the golf course in 1993 and the leasehold in 2021.
The barrister told the two-day hearing in London that the land was subject to a 'statutory trust requiring it to be kept available for public recreation use'. When the freehold was acquired, the club entered into 'restrictive covenants' governing its use.
He said this meant any plans could not 'restrict its use so as not to impair the appreciation of the general public of the extent or openness of the golf course land'.
In court, he said: 'You could not have a more protected piece of land within the planning system, frankly.'
Mark Westmoreland Smith, for the planning authorities, said that the decision was a 'planning judgment properly exercised and having regard to the appropriate and relevant factors'.
In his 31-page ruling, Mr Justice Saini agreed, stating that the authority 'properly considered the implications of the development on public open space'.
The All England Club maintains it has consulted extensively with the local community to build local support.
'We have spoken to more than 10,000 people who have taken the time to come in person and understand our plans in detail,' said Ms Jevans.
'The vast majority of people just want us to get on and deliver the many benefits on offer as soon as possible.'
Separate High Court proceedings are continuing over whether a statutory trust existed, and that if it does, the All England Club has 'accepted' that this is 'incompatible with the development of the proposal'.
A hearing in that case is due to take place in January 2026.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
an hour ago
- The National
Modi visits UK for 'win-win' free trade agreement
A landmark free trade agreement between Britain and India will be signed on Thursday giving a long-term boost to both countries' economies amid the global hit of US tariffs. At stake are significant prizes for both with the UK achieving its first major deal following Brexit and for the long-protectionist Indian government landing its first trading pact outside of Asia. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the UK on a state trip, is set to sign a free trade agreement with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Under the agreement, India will get duty-free access to British markets for its textile products and electric cars, while Britain will see a reduction of duty on its vehicles, food and whisky. The deal, which needs to be approved by the UK Parliament and India's federal cabinet, likely next year, will see even greater bilateral trade which reached $55 billion last year, said officials. Downing Street has heralded the agreement as a 'win' worth £6 billion to the economy that will also create a further 2,200 jobs, with Indian firms expanding their operations into Britain. 'Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain,' said Mr Starmer. 'It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country.' The deal will drive jobs in high-growth sectors such aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing, the UK government said, and lead to cheaper high street prices with greater choice on clothing, shoes, and food products. India's average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent allowing British companies that sell products to India from soft drinks, cosmetics to cars and medical devices to expand into the subcontinent's market. This could see British exports to India increase by 60 per cent 'in the long run', Downing Street said, with a projected addition £16 billion in exports by 2040. India too claimed a win on the deal with the country gaining access to Britain's market for electric and hybrid vehicles in a quota system. Furthermore, Indian commerce ministry officials said, 99 per cent of Indian exports would not have any duties. British car exports will see their duties cut from 100 per cent to 10 per cent in a quota system as well as tariffs on whisky reducing to 75 per cent from 150 per cent. There will be further tariff relief for the UK on aircraft parts, electronics and medical devices, it was reported. Britain has invested $36 billion in India − making it the sixth biggest investor there. More than 1,000 Indian companies operate in the UK, employing 100,000 people and investing $20 billion, a figure now expected to grow. Mr Modi has gained some credibility from the three-year negotiations after India held to its red lines by winning concessions on work visas and professional qualification recognition, reinforcing India's growing global services and skills position. India also managed to keep its agricultural products out of the agreement, as the industry employs 40 per cent of the country. It is also an issue that has dogged trade talks with America. The agreement can also demonstrate, perhaps worryingly to Washington, that US President Donald Trump's global tariff wars are pushing other countries to make bilateral deals, potentially at America's cost.


Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Jannik Sinner reappoints coach he sacked in doping scandal
World No.1 Jannik Sinner is teaming up once again with Umberto Ferrara, the fitness coach he sacked in the summer of 2024 after it was revealed that the Italian had tested positive for doping, his management team announced on Wednesday. Since the revelation of Sinner's positive tests for the anabolic steroid clostebol, Sinner has constantly maintained his innocence, laying the blame squarely on his team. Although he quickly dismissed Ferrara and his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, after the revelation of his positive tests, Sinner still described the former as an "excellent coach" on the sidelines of the ATP Finals in Turin in November 2024. "Jannik Sinner has reappointed Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach with immediate effect," his new management team Avima announced in a brief statement. "The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik's management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open. "Umberto has played an important role in Jannik's development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level." Doping authorities accepted that it was accidental and imposed a three-month ban which Sinner served following his victory in the Australian Open in January. He returned in time for the French Open where he lost an epic final to Carlos Alcaraz before beating the Spaniard in four sets to win his first Wimbledon title earlier this month.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'It feels like home': Rashford joins Barcelona on loan from Man United
England forward Marcus Rashford said Barcelona was a club where "dreams come true" as he joined the LaLiga champions on Wednesday on a season-long loan from Manchester United with an option to buy. Media reports said that Barcelona would cover Rashford's wages this season after the player accepted a pay cut, with the option to buy set at around 30 million euros ($35.25 million) for the 27-year-old. "Very excited. I think it's a club where people's dreams come true. They win big prizes. And what the club stands for really means a lot to me as well. So it feels like I am at home," Rashford told reporters following his unveiling. "Another factor is because the conversations I had with the manager (Hansi Flick) were positive. What he did last season was terrific. "To lead such a young team to a very successful season and come back to pre-season and still want to do more, it shows me everything I thought I knew about the club and it's everything I wished." Once seen as a club icon and homegrown star, Rashford had a dramatic fall from grace at United, marked by a falling out with manager Ruben Amorim that paved the way for him to move to Aston Villa on loan in February. "(Manchester United) is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life, so I was grateful for the opportunity," he added. "But like life not everything goes as simple as you thought and this is my next chapter and I'm fully focused on improving myself and helping the team win trophies." Barcelona said Rashford had signed his contract earlier in the afternoon. "Rashford can play anywhere in attack. Right footed, he can take players on and is an excellent finisher, talents he can now show in a Barca shirt," the club said in a statement. The move came after Manchester-born Rashford, who made 426 senior appearances and scored 138 goals for United in all competitions, fell out of favour with Amorim, who called his workrate into question. Rashford, who won two FA Cups, two League Cups and a Europa League title with United, joined Aston Villa on loan after Amorim said he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all. United issued a statement wishing Rashford well as they announced the deal with Barcelona. "Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the season," the club said. The forward, who has scored 17 goals for England in 62 appearances, said he was feeling fitter and better after joining Villa, where he netted two goals in 10 league games, while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings. Rashford said he had wanted to move to Barca during the mid-season transfer window when he joined Villa. "I was clear on my preference (to join Barcelona) from the beginning. Actually from maybe in January. It didn't work out in January so I went to Villa and enjoyed a good period there," he said. "It was time to make another decision. My choice was easy. (Barcelona) is a family club, something I'm used to from my past. It feels like home." Barcelona are set to play three pre-season friendlies in Japan and South Korea starting on July 27.