Game, set and match for Wimbledon’s extension plans?

Plans for a 39-court extension to the Wimbledon tennis complex have been rejected by Wandsworth Council. The planning committee last night voted unanimously to reject the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s plans to almost triple the size of the tennis championship grounds from 17 hectares to 46 hectares, including a new 8,000-seat stadium. Councillors agreed with the planning officers’ recommendation that the proposal be refused as it would “cause substantial harm to the openness of metropolitan open land”. While most of the development falls within the London Borough of Merton, the plans needs the approval of both councils and the mayor of London, in order to go ahead with the project. Merton approved the scheme last month. The application will now be referred to the mayor’s office and potentially the secretary of state. The Guardian