PARIS (AP) The planned renovation of Roland Garros has received the support of French Prime minister Manuel Valls.
The controversial project was put on hold in March after the Paris council allowed a new study on the land use, following protests from local residents and environmentalists at the city council.
But Valls said on Wednesday the initial plan has government support and that the all-clear for the project should be given by the end of this week, so that renovation work can start ''as soon as possible.''
Environmental groups claim the construction of a new 5,000-seat court at the Serres d'Auteuil botanical garden will harm the vegetation, and have been trying to stop it since its inception five years ago.
The home of the French Open also wants to build a retractable roof over the center court by 2019.
