Wimbledon's planned expansion runs into local opposition from community members and MPs

Wimbledon's plans to expand its grounds could be delayed following opposition from community members and local MPs, according to British press.

The All England Club, which runs the grass-court major, bought a neighboring golf club in 2018 for £65 million and wants to build new facilities, including a 8,000-seat stadium and more than three dozen grass courts, in the area. The move would allow the qualifying event to be played at Wimbledon, and provide more training and play courts during the competition.

The development has been submitted to two local councils for approval next year.

But 16 local groups are opposing the current plans, says the Daily Telegraph. According to a Daily Mail story, there is also a request to restart the process altogether.

The concerns include the size of the development, with the All England Club accused of not responding to local groups.

"What we want to do is get a proper solution for our residents and the club," Stephen Hammond, the Conservative MP for Wimbledon, was quoted as saying on a politics program. "They need to come and start talking. This is not the right plan."

The tournament has been told it should also consider alternatives.

"They’ve come to consultations but they haven’t moved at all. Maybe there could be a pop-up stadium, maybe there could be protections," said Fleur Anderson, the Labour MP for Putney.

Roland Garros also experienced pressure from opposing local groups in competing its recent expansion, which was finished in 2021 and involved several changes to the grounds.