‘I’ll keep fighting Park of Keir plans’

Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache says he will continue to strongly oppose the Park of Keir development.

Local government minister Kevin Stewart last week gave the green light to the bid for a tennis and golf centre, and luxury housing, on greenbelt land between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.

And Greens representative Mr Tollemache said: “I am flabbergasted that the SNP Scottish Government has had no respect for local democracy.

“The local council rejected the proposed development and that decision has now been upheld by the independent inquiry.

“When I was campaigning in the local elections opposition to this development came out as the main local issue, alongside the Airthrey Kerse proposed development.

“Local people simply do not want this, as has been reflected in their feedback to me over the past week, and feel that this decision was delayed until after the local election for political reasons.

“I will work with others in the local community to continue to oppose this.”

Dunblane Community Council has long been opposed to the proposed development, and chair Terence O’Byrne said: “We were concerned that ministers were planning to approve this application when it was ‘called in’.

“We are disappointed that, in the face of strong local opposition, refusal by Stirling Council and refusal by the reporter, that the minister has seen fit to overrule local views and not even provide any evidence to justify his decision.

“Clearly celebrity endorsement carries more weight with Scottish Government than rigorous analysis and local democratic processes.”

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said last week that he has ensured the views of local people have been “fully represented throughout the process”.

He added: “As the plans develop further, I will continue to ensure that all my constituents’ views are represented and that the conditions imposed by the Minister, which appear to address some of the main concerns raised, are adhered to.” For more on Park of Keir see pages 8 and 9.