Clapham Junction Insider: "Wimbledon: In a David vs Goliath battle, what is the price for democracy?"
- Save Wimbledon Park
- Apr 9
- 1 min read
Clapham Junction Insider | 7 April 2025 | Cyril Richert
"...David vs Goliath...Local residents are fighting to protect Wimbledon Park from the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s expansion plans, highlighting the financial challenges of defending public spaces. A recent meeting aimed to raise funds for the upcoming Judicial Review.
In the heat of the British Summer, while most of the eyes will be directed at the joy and drama of Wimbledon tennis championship, another critical play will happen central London, at the High Court: The oldest, most prestigious and powerful tennis tournament in the world, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), will defend their plan to expand on most of Wimbledon Park. Although they have been granted planning permission by the Mayor of London, the decision will go through a judicial review process instigated [by] campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP).
While the AELTC has the backing of political power and deep financial resources, local residents face a very different reality. During the last week of March, SWP organised two meetings in order to update their supporters and raise funds for the forthcoming legal battle.
SWP is a local community group campaigning to stop the proposed development of the former Wimbledon Park golf course into an industrial-scale tennis complex. After the approval of the Tennis club plans by Merton Council, and the refusal by Wandsworth Council in November 2023, the proposal was eventually approved by Jules Pipe, London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning, on September 27th last year."
