Poll finds many in favor of Wimbledon expansion

Wimbledon has "received a major boost in its fight with local residents" over a plan to expand the tournament's footprint, with a poll revealing that "over half of Londoners" are in favor of the proposal. The results of YouGov’s latest survey reveal that 59% of those polled "supported attempts to treble the size of the Wimbledon site," while 8% "opposed the project." The poll results are "potentially significant" as, after being rejected by neighboring Wandsworth Council last year, Wimbledon’s plans "are due to be considered by the Greater London Assembly next month." Following months of consultation the Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe will chair the hearing. The outcome "will be one of the most significant days in Wimbledon’s 147-year history." The plans "have sparked a fierce backlash from well-heeled locals," while at the same time receiving "the overwhelming backing of the players" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/1).