Mayor of London’s office takes control of decision on Wimbledon expansion

An aerial view of the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, south-west London. The club plans to build an 8,000-seat stadium and 38 other courts. Photograph: Thomas Lovelock/AP

The mayor of London’s office has taken charge of the decision on whether to approve the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s controversial plans to build on a Grade II*-listed park to expand the Wimbledon grand slam championships.

“This is a major planning application, of London-wide significance,” a spokesperson for city hall said on Monday. “Therefore, the deputy mayor has issued a direction under article 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order that he becomes the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the application. A full planning hearing will be held in due course.”