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Some interesting analysis in his newsletter, from that most diligent and perceptive independent Wandsworth Councillor Malcom Grimston who has represented West Hill Ward since 1994.Perhaps all is not yet lost !-----------------------------------------------------------AELTC PLANNING APPLICATION FOR FORMER WIMBLEDON PARK GOLF COURSELast year the Wandsworth Planning Applications Committee unanimously turned down the AELTC’s proposal to build a new 8,000-seat Show Court and 38 other grass courts on the course of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, just a few days after Merton Council had accepted the plans. The decision was referred up to the Mayor of London’s office (see Wimbledon Park Golf Club Hearing | London City Hall), which this morning granted Planning Permission for the scheme, following the publication of a 221-page document from the Great London Authority planning officers recommending acceptance. This may not be the end of the story however: Merton Council has published a statement saying the following. “When the Council sold the land to AELTC in 1993, it imposed restrictive covenants to preserve the openness of the land. The covenants are intended to provide an added layer of protection for that openness over and above the protection afforded by the planning system. The planning system and property covenants are two separate things; the granting of planning permission does not override the covenants nor make them unenforceable. It is only if and when a development has been granted planning permission that the covenants can perform their intended role. The proposed development does not protect the openness of the land so it would breach the covenants. When deciding whether to enforce the covenants, [Merton] Council is not acting as a planning authority and is not bound by any planning decision. Instead, the Council is free to decide whether it believes that sacrificing the openness of the land, and thereby defeating the purpose of the covenants, would be in the long-term interests of the locality. In the context of the current proposals, the Council has repeatedly stated that it intends that the covenants be respected. Whilst we recognise that AELTC’s plans have generated a lot of public interest, the Council is unable to say any more at this stage.”

John Hawkes ● 30d

'But we couldnt enjoy the area when it was a private golf course.'True, but that is not the point and in any case there is nothing to stop the AELTC from organising guided walks.It is a beautiful open green space of historic importance which is invaluable in an urban area such as Wimbledon or Wandsworth and it can be viewed from Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Park Road.Let's face it, we can't go into Buckingham Palace Gardens as far as I know but we would resist surely were someone to build a 10,000 seat stadium, 'player facilities', an admin block and possibly a hotel within them ? The basic reason given for this development, the building of which will disrupt the surrounding roads and their inhabitants for five years or so and when the expansion is in use, place an enormous strain on public transport facilities ?So that preliminary rounds in the once a year two month tournament do not have to be played at downtown Roehampton.Great news for the qualifiers ranked 50 to 150, with unpronounceable names from unknown countries in the Caucasus or eastern Europe.But the real reason is money.Though it is already probably the biggest money spinning sporting event excepting the Olympics, the AELTC is a mega business corporation with a CEO paid more than a £1 million a year to up its revenues.Nothing to do with sport.It's just because supposedly it is losing out to the Paris and American tournaments.What will stop that were it true would be to up the prize money for that is the major concern of international sports 'stars'.I thought we were all in favour of facilities that reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate climate change.Silly of me."Follow the money" as Tom Cruise said in 'Jerry Maguire'.

John Hawkes ● 32d