{"id":293293,"date":"2023-10-29T08:09:25","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293293"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:09:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:09:25","slug":"wimbledons-tennis-disneyland-plan-gets-green-light-as-protesters-left-furious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/tennis\/wimbledons-tennis-disneyland-plan-gets-green-light-as-protesters-left-furious\/","title":{"rendered":"Wimbledon’s ‘tennis Disneyland’ plan gets green light as protesters left furious"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wimbledon’s plans for a ‘tennis Disneyland’ have moved a step closer after planning permission was granted to the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) by the local council. The plans to build 39 new tennis courts and a new 8,000-seater stadium on a neighbouring golf course have been approved by Merton Council after a meeting on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

At a meeting at a local church in September, residents accused club representatives of the AELTC for “lying” about the extent of the developments.<\/p>\n

There was no shortage of opposition on Thursday night either, as protesters stationed themselves outside the London Borough of Merton Civic Centre with banners that read ‘Save the park… elitist exploitation’, ‘No to Tennis Disneyland’ and ‘Shame, set and match’. Wimbledon residents are furious that green space will be used to expand the venue for what is being dubbed ‘Wimbledon Disneyland’.<\/p>\n

And after several hours of debating and a tense vote, Wimbledon’s plans for the largest expansion in its history overcame its first hurdle after receiving planning permission from Merton Council at four minutes past midnight.<\/p>\n

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The majority vote was reached with six votes in favour and four against. Notably, all six Labour representatives on the Merton Council planning committee voted to approve the All England Club’s application.<\/p>\n

There is still a long way to go before construction can start and an estimated completion time means ‘Disneyland’ may not be built until the 2030s. But clearing opposition in the local council has been viewed as a small success.<\/p>\n

But the decision only seemed to increase the fury of those protesting, with a climate protestor forcing the rest of the meeting to be adjourned immediately following the vote after they shouted in the chamber. The unidentified man reportedly told those who backed the AELTC’s application to “hang your heads in shame”.<\/p>\n