An Open Letter to Officers and Members of the AELTC from SWP:

7 minutes ago
2 min read

Dear Wimbledon

You launched your development plans for the Wimbledon Park Estate five long years ago and the local community has been trying to have a meaningful discussion with you ever since.

You were quoted in a national newspaper when announcing the project, “Any future development proposals will…importantly be delivered in partnership with the local community.” You agreed to Merton Council’s covenants not to build on this listed green site. The list of misleading statements grows and still you refuse to discuss a compromise.

You say the development is necessary to deliver the qualifying tournament on site. At the heart of your plans is a massive stadium which is unlikely to see any qualifying competition, nor will half of the 39 courts you intend to fit onto the site. Residents are wondering what plans you have for these facilities outside of Wimbledon Fortnight?

Save Wimbledon Park, an organisation of residents in the area, concerned at the devastation to valuable Metropolitan Open Land, has looked at alternative options for the development in consultation with a highly respected architect and a world-renowned tennis master planner as well as local politicians and community groups.

These experts have produced a plan which would accommodate the qualifying tournament, enhance the vision of “tennis in an English Garden”, improve congestion on the main site. Their words fall on your deaf ears.

We are not anti-tennis. We apply for tickets in the ballot, queue up for ground passes, we love the sport, but we despair at the loss of beautiful parkland turned into your industrialised private sports complex. Your plans will deliver a crowd larger than the average attendance at a Premier League Football Ground to Church Road every day of the tournament. Millions of pounds to be devoted to a multi-use stadium, no funds for a transport system collapsing under the increased demand.

Save Wimbledon Park will continue to fight on to protect this precious land. Come to the table and talk.

Thank you!

SWP