Inside the battle over future of Wimbledon tennis championships as expansion splits locals

It’s a project to transform one of the UK’s top sporting events - but one which has divided local residents.

Plans put forward in Wimbledon would see the area’s world-famous tennis championships expand by building 39 new courts - including an 8,000 seater stadium - on a golf course across the road from the existing grounds.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) - who run the annual tournament - say the proposals will “secure the future of the Championships” and create “year-round benefits for the local community”.

But local residents have raised concerns over the impact on the land’s biodiversity and heritage - with a petition against the plans