Few contests in the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s 147-year history have been as prolonged or fractious. But at City Hall on Friday the battle over plans to build 39 new courts at Wimbledon will reach a potentially decisive point.
On one side of the net stands the AELTC, which will say that the expansion is needed to ensure Wimbledon remains the world’s pre-eminent tournament. However, that is disputed by local residents’ groups and MPs, who question why Wimbledon needs to almost triple in size from 41 to 115 acres and the legality of building on metropolitan open land.
Both will present their cases to London’s deputy mayor for planning, Jules Pipe, who will be sitting in the umpire’s chair before determining whether planning permission should be granted.
Wimbledon's controversial plans to build 39 new tennis courts on protected open land opposite the All England Club has been approved.The All England Club wants
Britain's Jack Draper reached the semi-finals of the US Open earlier this month (Yuichi YAMAZAKI)US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper says he is ready for the "res
The work is being funded by Aneurin Leisure Trust and the UK Government, supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation.
The courts were reopened at an event at