RAGE go on the warpath
Opponents to the Park of Keir plans have vowed to go on the `PR warpath’as they enter the final stages of their fight.
Members of Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE) held a meeting on Monday night, following the news that Judy Murray had visited the Houses of Parliament last week.
The group was enraged by comments made by Stirling MP Steven Paterson in a debate on a legacy for Andy and Jamie Murray.
A decision is expected soon by the Scottish Government, following a public inquiry into the plans which was held in September
A RAGE spokeswoman said:“We aim to combat the tsunami of PR puffery in favour of Park of Keir as the chosen legacy for Andy Murray while the real facts are ignored and the matter has yet to be decided by the reporter.
“It was agreed at the meeting of to seek talks with Tracey Crouch, parliamentary under secretary of state for sport, following Steven Paterson using his parliamentary privileges to appear to endorse and promote the Murray legacy of a tennis centre which he hoped would benefit local children and young people from the Dunblane and Stirling areas.”
RAGE chairman Inga Bullen said:“We want to meet her to give her the full facts of the case.
“No mention was made in the parliamentary debate that this is a planning application tied in with executive housing on a controversial green belt between two communities and has been the subject of three public inquiries over the last 25 years. We want to put the matter straight.”
The group said Mr Paterson should clarify his position on the application for a tennis centre and golf academy, 19 luxury homes and other sports facilities at the site between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane.
The debate last week followed a meeting of the all-party parliamentary group on Scottish sports, at which Gavin Newlands, the SNP sports spokesperson at Westminster, welcomed Judy Murray.
Mr Paterson said that he clearly stated that it would be inappropriate to comment on a live planning application and that the debate had focused on the sporting success of the tennis stars.
He said:“I will never apologise for recognising the achievements of my constituents. The debate was a celebration of sports success. It was a great debate and there was a good show from all sides.”