An update from Cllr Paul Kohler

“I was dismayed by Merton Council’s decision tonight to approve controversial plans to build on parts of Wimbledon Park. The plans would see a new 10 storey stadium, a maintenance complex and over 9km of roads. 

Along with the other Lib Dem councillors, I am now calling for Labour Council bosses to enforce historic legal promises on Wimbledon Park. 

The Council’s planning committee voted by 6 votes to 4 to approve the decision, with only Labour councillors voting in favour. 

I was at the Civic Centre for the planning meeting and attended a protest outside, where numerous local groups from across Wimbledon made clear their disagreement with the proposed development, and made their concerns about the impact of this development on health, local heritage and the natural environment clear.

I am disappointed but not surprised Merton’s Development and Planning Committee has voted to allow the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) to build their industrial tennis complex on Wimbledon Park. Despite the overwhelming opposition, the planning application was voted through by Labour councillors.

While the application has been given approval by the Council’s planning committee – after a recommendation by planning officers – there remain questions about the covenants that both the Council and AELTC agreed to when the freehold of the Golf Club land was sold to AELTC in 1993. 

They bought the land for a ‘knock down’ price of £5.2m because they made binding legal promises “preventing the use of the land otherwise than for leisure or recreation purposes or as an open space”.

Up to now the Council have refused to exercise the covenants as they were waiting for the planning decision, but the time has come for them to exercise their legal rights and stand by the promises made by the Council and AELTC. 

I have written to the Mayor of Merton asking for an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to discuss the restrictive covenants protecting Wimbledon Park, where I will be proposing that the Council enforces these protections. 

We hope that Labour Council bosses will understand and appreciate the impact this development could have on the local area, and make the right decision to refuse the AELTC’s current application and respect the promises made to the residents of Merton.”

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