Save Wimbledon Park granted permission to take judicial review to Court of Appeal
On 18 November 2025 Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) was granted permission to take its judicial review of planning approval to the Court of Appeal.
In July this year, the High Court heard SWP’s claim that the Greater London Authority (GLA) ‘made errors of law and planning policy’ by granting the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) permission to extend the championship grounds. The expansion, which would see the site triple in size, to include an 8,000-seat stadium and 38 new championship sized courts on the former public Wimbledon Park golf course. Mr Justice Saini upheld the GLA’s grant of planning permission.
The Court of Appeal has now granted permission to appeal Mr Justice Saini’s decision. Lord Justice Holgate granted SWP permission on Wednesday this week with confirmation that it will continue to benefit from Aarhus costs protection.
In granting permission, the Court of Appeal has recognised that the High Court’s decision warrants further legal scrutiny. Providing his reasons, Holgate LJ stated that the appeal has “…a real prospect of success... that the case law on scheme benefits, deliverability, material considerations, and irrationality merits review by the Court of Appeal.”
The Russell-Cooke team representing SWP is led by Chair and partner John Gould and partner Michael Stacey, and includes associate Lui Asquith and trainee Holly Robinson who are all in the firm's regulation and public law team.
These cases involve some of the fundamental principles of the rule of law. To paraphrase a well know expression: however high you are, the law is above you. Can a rich and powerful private organisation use its influence and resources to overcome or circumvent the strongest legal protections which can be attached to a public open space? The case has some striking historical resonances from a time when commons were enclosed for private gain.
The firm has represented SWP throughout, including in relation to the planning challenge and the High Court proceedings concerning the statutory public interest trust on which Wimbledon Park is held.
The Court of Appeal proceedings will be heard in 2026 and are expected to run over the course of two days. The High Court proceedings relating to the statutory public interest trust will be be heard in January 2026.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our regulation and public law solicitors by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7524 or complete our enquiry form.
