Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, said at the time that the proposals would deliver 27 acres of “newly accessible parkland for the community”, and would allow the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon – currently staged at Roehampton – to be held on site.

Wimbledon's plans to expand the grounds for the world's oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam in tennis overcame its first legal hurdle on Monday, as London's High Court rejected a challenge to the project by campaigners.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which hosts Wimbledon, bought the Wimbledon Park golf course land from Merton council for £5.2million ($6.6million) in 1993. The AELTC then purchased the Wimbledon Park golf club, whose lease was to expire in 2041, for £65million in 2018. This led to each member receiving £85,000.