The All England Club is set to get the go-ahead for its ambitious expansion plans after officers at the Greater London Authority (GLA) recommended approval of its bid to build 39 new courts on Wimbledon Park.
"Very significant" economic benefits and enhancing the Wimbledon brand were cited in the GLA's report as two of the reasons why deputy mayor Jules Pipe is now set to back the bid, possibly as early as a public meeting next Friday.
The club's initial plans, which include the construction of a new 8,000-capacity stadium on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, were accepted by Merton Council subject to certain planning conditions in October 2023.
However they were thrown into doubt when Wandsworth Council, some of whose land the application also straddles, announced they intended to refuse it two months later.
A revised bid was submitted to the GLA in May and the decision is now down to the deputy mayor, with mayor Sadiq Khan not involved having publicly supported the initial plans in 2021.
A number of local groups and residents have protested against the proposal, saying it is too large for the area and that there will be considerable environmental damage.
The All England has sought to allay the fears of locals by promising the creation of 27 acres of new public parkland as part of the £200million plans.
Deputy prime minster Angela Rayner will have seven days in which to rubber-stamp or reject the application irrespective of the decision made by the deputy mayor next week.
