Wimbledon has revealed their plans to create a new public park spanning across 23 acres.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced the proposals on Wednesday, as part of an ambitious expansion project following the club's purchase of Wimbledon Park Golf Club.

The Wimbledon Park Project proposals will see an extensive area of private land turned into a year-round public park, significantly increasing the green space available to local communities.

This will be London’s first new public park since the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which opened almost a decade ago.

Wimbledon Times: This is what the park could look like This is what the park could look like

Plans for the park include the protection of veteran trees and planting of 1,500 British grown new trees, as well as the restoration of the Wimbledon Park Lake with a public boardwalk.

The area will also benefit from improved infrastructure and transport links, including upgrades to Church Road and improvements to the 493 bus route, Southfield, Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park stations.

Under the project plan, the club will safeguard facilities for sailing and angling, and the creation of diverse natural habitats for a range of local and European protected species.

AELTC said residents will also receive greater access to the tournament through the expansion of the existing community ticket scheme, and the intention to provide access to the facilities within the Parkland Show Court outside of The Championships fortnight for local community groups.

Wimbledon Times: View of proposals View of proposals

AELTC Chief Executive, Sally Bolton OBE, commented: “After last year’s cancellation, we were delighted to be able to bring The Championships back this year and I want to say a huge thank you to our local neighbours for their support in hosting this year’s tournament.

“Although the tennis is coming to a close, we have an exciting few months ahead of us, as we submit our planning application for the AELTC Wimbledon Park Project.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity not only to cement London’s position as a global leader in world class sporting venues, but also to create this extraordinary new public park for our local community, significantly increasing access to green space for those living nearby and providing an important sanctuary for nature."

The club also plans to grow community schemes such as the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative and the AELTC Community Tennis Centre at Raynes Park.

As well as the work of the Wimbledon Foundation in Merton and Wandsworth, which has provided £4.49 million of funding to over 200 organisations in the two boroughs since 2013.

Sally Bolton added: “Throughout this development, we are committed to being good neighbour, engaging with our community at every stage and seeking to bring the maximum benefit to the local area.

"With that in mind, we are particularly excited about the opportunity to give back through the public park, potential access to the facilities in the Parkland Show Court itself, and continued expansion of the work of the Wimbledon Foundation and the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative.”

For more information visit the virtual consultation here.