Wimbledon is bracing for a legal challenge from locals over plans for the biggest expansion in the club’s history.
The All England Club plans to create 39 grass courts on the land currently used by Wimbledon Park Golf Course.
It is about a covenant on the land that was put in place when it was purchased by Wimbledon in 1993. The covenant stated that no building would be allowed on the property.
The lease on the land – which was being used by the golf club – was not due to expire until 2041.
750 members like Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly – were paid more than £80,000 each to quit the course three years ago.
This could mean that Wimbledon qualifiers will play in-house, rather than in Roehampton.
But three years ago the 750 members of the golf club – which included TV stars Piers Morgan, Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly – were paid more than £80,000 each to quit the course.
And the tennis club now wants to continue with their expansion plans on the land. They claim that the covenant doesn’t disallow them.
The club wants to bring the qualifying event for the annual Championships ‘in house’ from its current venue two miles away in Roehampton.
However, residents’ groups believe there may be grounds for a legal challenge over the covenant.
Individuals and representative groups have filed more than 1200 objections to local councils.
A spokesman for Merton Council said: ‘The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s application is currently under assessment and it will likely be decided by the planning committee.’
Wimbledon Society Heritage Group has requested that this matter be referred by the Secretary Of State.
Even though planning permission may be granted, the covenant could still lead to another legal problem.
A Wimbledon spokesman said: ‘We are confident that our proposals to enhance the land for the benefit of the Championships and more widely for the general public… are consistent with our commitment to the local area.’