Anger in Wimbledon as locals scared tennis could extend to 3 weeks after £200m expansion

Wimbledon locals have signalled their opposition to rumours that the tennis extended to last three weeks instead of two, as officials plan a £200million expansion of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club (AELTC), fearing construction, noise and damage to the environment. The proposal includes 38 new courts and an 8,000-seat show court on land adjacent to the current grounds - and residents, who think that that extra matches could be held there in future years.

"It's two weeks, and I love it," Bilquis Salam, 82, who has lived in her house in since 1968 and used to work with her husband in property, said. "But anything more, I don't think I'd like it." Her son, Ali Khan, 45, a director of a luxury travel company, told The Express that visitors to Wimbledon urinate outside the family home and leave bottles and cans behind. He even found someone passed out outside the garden gate. Another resident told of takeaway food being ordered to their address up to three times a day.

Heather Slater, 52, has lived in the street for eight years. She said: "It's really exciting. It's only for two week period, and you just expect the crowds, and that the area's going to be really busy at the same time. It's a really exciting, joyful time."

Although, Ms Slater thinks making the club larger is "not necessary", and will impact the environment. The IT programme manager also fears noise and disruption on the roads for years.

"All the lorries passing our house every day; that's more the issue for me," she said.

James, 50, an architect, has lived in a Southfields street right next to the venue on and off since 1981 and did not want to provide his surname.

He said: "Everyone's against that round here."

Alex James, 48, a British Army Captain-turned-distiller and founder of London to Lima Gin, said: "I think people's main concern is felling trees and the greenery.

"It's not going to be a serene when they build it, but that's building for you.

"If they built a swimming facility, that might appease a few. They have an athletics track already, they might as well turn it into a massive sporting facility.

"The plans look fairly green. My wife is against it and I'm kind of for it, I guess."

A 62-year-old resident, who has lived in the street for 20 years and did not wish to be named, fears more construction work and a longer road closure.

She believes traffic and road blockages would mean journeys to work and school runs will be "ruined", and added: "I remember when they did the court roofs.

"That was a nightmare. I had to replace two tires."

The local does go to the tennis. She added: "Before that they just abandoned us, but, when people started complaining, they said, 'Ok' [to locally exclusive tickets]."

Campaigners fighting the proposal have raised £200,000 for a judicial review set to be held in early July.

Save Wimbledon Park believes that the entire 73 acres could be dug up to a depth of between one and nine metres, meaning 300 trees would be felled, and 500 further trees uprooted.

This would purportedly release 500,000 kilograms of carbon into the atmosphere, the critics suggest.

However, Thomas Moulton, 68, a former travel agent turned English teacher, who has lived in Wimbledon for 50 years, says he understands residents' concerns about the "destructive" nature of building, but has been convinced by positive assessments from the London Wildlife Trust, and believes that the expansion scheme's "minus points are outweighed by the long-term benefits".

The lifetime member of the Wimbledon Society added: "It's a world-famous club maintaining its position. As time goes by, development is sometimes part and parcel of keeping up with the times.

"I do have conservation at heart, and I do sympathise with the locals. But it's an opportunity for future generations."

AELTC has claimed that it has consulted more than 10,000 local people as part of its consultation and outreach events, and that the vast majority of residents support the expansion plans.

The club's plan includes 27 acres of new public parkland on what was formerly a private golf course, £15million in enhancements to the existing Wimbledon Park, including a new boardwalk around the lake, new water sports centre, newly enhanced entrance and landscaping and a new children's play park; and 500 tickets for local people each day to the new parkland show court and 1,000 tickets for local schools during each day of qualifying.

Wandsworth Borough Council previously rejected the application in 2023 "due to the impact of the development on the environment and access to green spaces for local residents". "We are committed to protecting the environment and access to green spaces for local people," the authority said. "We continue to stay informed as separate legal proceedings develop."