Wimbledon expansion opponents granted permission to fight go-ahead ruling in Court of Appeal

"A campaign group has been given the green light to take its legal battle over plans to almost triple the size of the Wimbledon tennis site to the Court of Appeal. On Wednesday, SWP said the Court of Appeal had granted it permission to appeal. In a court order dated November 13, Lord Justice Holgate said: "The grounds of appeal are arguable with a real prospect of success. "The case law on scheme benefits, deliverability, relevance, material considerations and irrationality merits review by the Court of Appeal.""

"A spokesman for SWP said: "We are delighted with the grant of permission. The plans would see the construction of 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on the grounds of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club "There are a number of important flaws in the planning decisions which need to be resolved and we hope to be able to press ahead quickly with the appeal.""

"After Merton Council approved the plans, but Wandsworth Council rejected them, the Mayor of London's office took charge of the application, but Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan recused himself from the process after previously expressing support for the development. Planning permission for the scheme was granted by Jules Pipe, London's deputy mayor for planning, who said the proposals "would facilitate very significant benefits" which "clearly outweigh the harm"."

Permission to appeal has been granted to SWP to challenge plans that would almost triple the Wimbledon tennis site. A court order found the grounds of appeal arguable and recommended Court of Appeal review of case law on scheme benefits, deliverability, relevance, material considerations and irrationality. The proposals include 38 new courts, an 8,000-seat stadium, maintenance buildings, access points, permissive parkland access and works on Wimbledon Lake. Merton Council approved the plans, Wandsworth rejected them, and the Mayor's office handled the application with planning approval issued by deputy mayor Jules Pipe. SWP says planning decisions contain important flaws.

Read at www.standard.co.uk