Opposing the plans of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which presents the Wimbledon tennis event, a local campaign group of Londoners has raised £200,000. Approved in September 2023, the strategy is to construct an 8,000-seat stadium and 39 tennis courts on designated ground at Wimbledon Park. Not everyone is on board. Trees being cut, possible flooding, and damage to the environment worry several local citizens. Now, a court will decide if the approval process was fair. The review will happen in early July.
Wimbledon campaigners ignite major protest after raising £200000 to stop stadium project
In London, a group called Save Wimbledon Park has raised £200,000 for a legal battle. They want to stop AELTC’s expansion in Wimbledon Park. This money will be used for a judicial review, which is set to happen in July 2025. It will check if the decision to approve the plan was done correctly by Merton Council and the Greater London Authority.
The land where AELTC wants to build was once a private golf course. The club bought it for £65 million in 2018. Plans for the new courts and stadium were submitted in 2021. Though Merton Council approved, Wandsworth Council denied them. The Greater London Authority also gave the green light later in September 2023. Campaigner Christopher Coombe said, “We have massive public support. Over 22,000 people signed a petition. This land should stay green and open for everyone.”
Simon Wright and Susan Cusack warn about pollution and tree loss
Campaign members Simon Wright and Susan Cusack say the plans could harm the environment. They are worried about 300 trees being cut and 500 more being moved. Cusack said the digging work would release large amounts of carbon into the air. “Each court uses 105 tonnes of concrete,” she said.
Wright added, “Over the next 8 to 10 years, about 44,000 lorries will pass by local schools. This will hurt air quality and children’s health.”
AELTC chair Debbie Jevans said they are taking care to reduce the impact. She also said, “Most of the park will be open to the public forever. This project is good for the sport and the community.”
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