It’s game, set and match for Judy in battle over £37m tennis complex
IT has put the mother of Britain’s top tennis family at loggerheads with environmental groups, archaeologists and council officials for four years.
But Judy Murray has finally won her fight to create a sports academy near her home town after Scottish Government ministers decided to ignore an official report recommending it be rejected.
The £37.5million tennis and golf centre at Park of Keir is billed as a ‘bricks and mortar legacy’ of Andy and Jamie Murray’s success. But opponents insist the site, between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, is an important green-belt area.
The plan – which includes 12 tennis courts, a golf academy, hotel and new homes – attracted high-profile backers including Sir Alex Ferguson and Colin Montgomerie.
But it was rejected by Stirling Council in 2015 after more than 1,000 locals objected.
A public inquiry was launched following an appeal to the Government by the developers.
Objectors says the site is a nesting area for rare corncrakes, while a Stirling Council archaeologist has warned of a ‘direct and negative impact on a series of known archaeological remains’.
The inquiry was heard in September by Governmentappointed reporter Timothy Brian, who recommended that the appeal be dismissed.
He said he was ‘not persuaded that there is a compelling local need for a new tennis complex at Park of Keir’.
But yesterday, Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart said: ‘I have concluded that the development is of significant regional and national significance. It will bring strong benefits to Scottish sport, helping in the development of elite competitors, while also providing facilities for the community.
‘There will also be economic benefits, both to the local area and more widely.’
Mrs Murray and her associates, Auchterarder-based developer the King Group, can now realise their plan, which will include a ‘Murray’ museum.
Mrs Murray said: ‘I’m passionate about creating a lasting legacy from the successes of Jamie and Andy and about getting more people playing and teaching sport. I want Scotland to be a healthier and more active nation and I can’t wait to start developing the plans with the local community and the various governing bodies. I am thrilled to bits.’
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: ‘For 30 years communities have successfully fought to protect this precious landscape... but local plans and the conclusions of a lengthy public inquiry have been ripped up by the Government.’
Pressure group Residents Against Green Belt Erosion said it may challenge the decision in the courts. Chairman Inga Bullen, said: ‘We are appalled. Obviously Judy Murray’s big media push has won the day.’
The King Group said it was ‘very pleased’ that the ‘important development’ had been approved.