Time: 2024-07-05
The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club , home of the Wimbledon Tennis tournament , has been faced with challenges regarding an expansion plan that has caused a stir among local residents . A recent poll conducted by YouGov revealed that over half of Londoners are in favor of the proposed expansion , with 59 % supporting the idea of tripling the size of the Wimbledon site . This comes after the plans were rejected by the neighboring Wandsworth Council , and they are now set to be considered by the Greater London Assembly next month . The Deputy Mayor of London , Jules Pipe , will chair the hearing , which is expected to be a significant moment in Wimbledon 's 147 - year history . The proposed plans have received backlash from some locals but have the overwhelming backing of the players.
In a historic moment on this day in 2009 , the roof over Centre Court at Wimbledon was closed for the first time . Wimbledon , known for its iconic traditions like strawberries and cream , Pimms , and Murray Mound , is a highly anticipated event that draws thousands of spectators to SW19 to witness top tennis stars like Novak Djokovic , Carlos Alcaraz , and Coco Gauff . The All England Lawn Tennis Club has ambitious plans for the Wimbledon Park Golf Club site , which it acquired the lease for in 2018 . The proposed development includes building 38 new courts , a third show court with a retractable roof , and designated player hubs , along with providing publicly accessible parkland . The expansion aims to increase the championships ' capacity to 50,000 by 2030 but has faced opposition from residents who believe it will harm the environment and heritage of the area.
Christopher Coombe , a retired lawyer and member of the Save Wimbledon Park group , argues against the development , highlighting concerns about building on green belt land and a Grade - II - star - listed heritage park . Iain Simpson , chair of the Wimbledon Park Residents Association , also voices opposition , calling the size of the development unacceptable . However , some residents and groups , like the Wimbledon Park Heritage Group , support the AELTC 's proposal for the site , emphasizing the additional benefits it could bring to the community . The planning application has faced challenges and been through multiple twists in the planning system , ultimately landing in the hands of the Greater London Authority for a decision.
AELTC has made efforts to address concerns by including more public parkland in the plans and committing to social and environmental improvements . Despite these changes , the Save Wimbledon Park group remains dissatisfied , describing the development as a huge industrial tennis complex . The ongoing dispute over the expansion highlights the complex issues surrounding planning and development in the Wimbledon area , which will likely continue to be a point of contention for the residents of SW19.
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