The future look of the world-famous home of Andy Murray’s iconic Wimbledon win will be decided tonight.
The site of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships will look very different if plans for a new retractable and fixed roof, landscaping and public plaza are approved by Merton Council’s planning committee.
An artists' impression of the All England Club
Also up for decision is a plan for six flood lit synthetic surface tennis courts, partly covered by an air dome, and a single storey building with changing rooms in Raynes Park.
Raynes Park Playing Fields where the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative could be housed
The development on Raynes Park Playing Fields in Grand Drive would feature eight 10 metre high columns for 12 flood lights for three of the courts which would be uncovered, a new electrical substation, switch room and inflation unit.
The area, owned by the All England Club, would be resurfaced and the entrance onto Grand Drive widened for cars.
Both bids are recommended for approval.
The playing fields tennis court plan had been refused by the committee in June and documents state it has since been amended.
Reasons for refusal included the size, position and design of the air dome which it said would be unacceptable to the surrounding area, and unsightly.
The new facility has been designed to specifically cater for the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative and to ‘enable them to provide all year round tennis coaching in a high quality and safe environment.’
Youngsters and coaches from the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative pictured at the All England Club in the summer
Changes to the refused plan include the height of the dome being reduced from 12 metres to 10 metres, the height of a screening hedge increased from 1.5 metres to two metres and a time limit of 9.45pm on the dome being used.
The re-development of the tennis venue in Church Road is known as the Master Plan and features ideas including the creation of a two-level public plaza in place of court 19 plus wider and more comfortable seating on Court One.
There would be improved on-site concessions and catering areas and a new large television screen for spectators on the Aorangi Terrace, better known as Murray Mound.
Changes include a new, 24 hour media restaurant under court 14, photographers to be re-located to purpose built accommodation under court 15 and the current media area to be re-configured and expanded.
Public exhibitions of the Master Plan were held throughout the year for neighbours of the club.
The council’s planning committee will decide tonight whether to approve the plans.
What do you think of the plans? Send your comments on the scheme to becky.middleton@london.newsquest.co.uk or comment below.
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