Plans to almost triple the size of the Wimbledon tennis site have moved a step closer after the High Court ruled the development was not restricted by land-use rules.
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) wants to build 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium by developing a former golf course.
Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) argued a statutory trust existed under the Public Health Act, meaning the land had to be kept as a public space – but club lawyers said when AELTC purchased the freehold in 1993, any trust would no longer apply.
SWP has said it intended to apply to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal.
In a ruling released on Thursday, Mr Justice Thompsell said the land was “never appropriated or dedicated to the use of public recreation” and instead “was used as a private golf club”, adding that the club was “unencumbered by any statutory trust”.
“It never became the subject of a statutory trust and therefore the 1986 lease and the 1993 transfer of the freehold were each made free of such trust,” the ruling said.
“Even if the above proposition is wrong, it is clear that the land was never used or laid out for public recreation.”
Deborah Jevans, chairwoman of AELTC, said the ruling provided “important clarity”.
She said: “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.”
The plans had been approved by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in 2024.