"The land was "never appropriated or dedicated to the use of public recreation" and instead "was used as a private golf club", adding that the club was "unencumbered by any statutory trust". "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.""
"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."
"We love tennis but we continue the fight after this news because there is a strong case for protecting this precious open space from development. Wimbledon promised they would never build on this land, and Wimbledon can do better because there are alternatives."
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) received High Court approval to expand Wimbledon's facilities by nearly tripling the site's size. The development involves building 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on a former golf course. Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park challenged the project, arguing a statutory trust under the Public Health Act required the land remain public space. The court ruled the land was never appropriated for public recreation and remained private golf club property, therefore unencumbered by any statutory trust. The AELTC purchased the freehold in 1993, which further eliminated any trust obligations. The ruling provides clarity for the project, which was previously approved by the Greater London Authority in 2024. Save Wimbledon Park indicated plans to appeal the decision.
#wimbledon-expansion #land-development #high-court-ruling #public-space-protection #tennis-infrastructure
Read at www.bbc.com
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