Campaign group, Save Wimbledon Park had always maintained plans to build an 8,000-seat stadium and tennis courts on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club are unlawful.
They say a covenant set up after the sale of the land in 1993 stated it must always be open to the public for leisure and recreation purposes.
The All England Club, which has already been given permission for the development, disputes this is the case.
Deborah Jevans, Chair of the All England Club, commented, “We welcome today’s High Court ruling which has found in favour of the All England Club and confirms that the former Wimbledon Park golf course land is not, and never has been, subject to a statutory trust.
“This Judgment provides important clarity on the status of the land. As has long been our position, the land has never been held under a statutory public recreation trust and the Court’s decision now brings welcome legal certainty to this matter, which all parties need in order to move forward.
“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. Hosting our Qualifying Competition in SW19 will bring us into line with the other Grand Slams, and by increasing the practice facilities for the world’s best players, we will bring fans even closer to the sport’s best athletes.
“We know from our discussions with more than 10,000 local residents that the vast majority of people want us to get on and deliver the benefits of our plans as soon as possible.”
AELTC says its attention now turns to taking further steps to bring forward the plans.
It also says the projected economic boost to London from The Championships is expected to exceed £300million, both in direct and indirect impacts, once the project is completed. This is alongside the creation of more than 250 new jobs for The Championships, as well as many hundreds of jobs throughout the project’s construction phase.
Jeremy Hudson of Save Wimbledon Park said, “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 existing, alternative plans which show that their scheme can be accommodated on their current site. This not only saves the environment but leaves the park free for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. These better plans would still allow AELTC to stage a qualifying tournament on site in keeping with the other Grand Slams. Therefore, we fight on.”
Christopher Coombe of SWP added, “We have always maintained the outcome of our case sets a precedent. Wimbledon Park is not just a local issue – it has significant national implications. This judgment is bad news for everyone in London and all around the country who live near similarly protected green space and open land which might now be bulldozed and built on. People also should be aware that the House of Lords will soon be debating an amendment to the English Devolution Bill, aimed at giving those who buy statutory trust land, avoiding any statutory advertisement and consultation, a ‘get out of jail card’. If passed, the amendment will effectively negate the Supreme Court decision in Day v. Shropshire, by allowing developers to apply to the Secretary of State for a statutory trust discharge order, which would extinguish public recreation rights.”
