High Court Judge Mr Justice Saini, giving judgment earlier than was expected, yesterday dismissed the appeal of the Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) Group against AELTC plans to expand the Wimbledon Tennis site. The appeal was against the GLA planning decision in favour of the plans.

SWP had argued that the development on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club was unlawful as the proposed land was protected.

Mr Justice Saini held: “In short, the defendant’s decision on the relevance of deliverability, applying to both the statutory trust and the restrictive covenants, was a planning judgment rationally exercised and having regard to appropriate and relevant factors.”

The plans will allow the club to move the Wimbledon Qualifying Tournament from Bank Lane in Roehampton and to host them at Wmbledon. When might we see the ‘first spade in the ground’?

Separate High Court proceedings are listed for hearing early in 2026. They concern whether a statutory trust exists. It remains to be seen whether SWP will pursue those proceedings, given that Mr Justice Saini appears to have taken account of matters which might then be raised, or consider appealing yesterday’s decision.