Wimbledon’s most illustrious landowner was given an angry reception by residents at a public meeting to discuss its plan to build flats.
The All England Club, which owns the Raynes Park playing fields in Cannon Hill Lane, wants to build 72 homes, 122 new parking spaces and a new all-weather sports pitch, which could be approved next month.
More than 300 residents turned out for the meeting at St John Fisher Primary School recently.
Two major complaints centred around fears the new development would increase traffic and put extra pressure on the area’s sewer system.
John Dunningham, an All England Club board member, said it was losing £150,000 a year and that any other sports club that bought the land would face the same problem.
One furious resident was applauded when he said: “With the St Catherine’s and Lessa [both housing developments] due to be built, the council is already ahead providing housing in this area. We don’t need more housing in Raynes Park.”
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