No legal grounds to defeat project

Opponents frustrated after reporter overruled

Opponents of the £40million Park of Keir development have abandoned hopes of a legal challenge.

Lawyers advising campaign group RAGE have advised them there are no grounds to contest the decision in the courts.

The decision clears away another hurdle from implenting the development, backed by Judy Murray, for homes and a tennis facility on the land between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane.

Scottish Ministers last month approved the plan even though an independent Reporter, who chaired a public inquiry into the proposal, recommended refusal.

There has been a possibility that protesters could seek judicial review of the the way in which the Scottish Government dealt with the plan.

RAGE chairperson Inga Bullen confirmed they had been examining the possibility of taking the matter court.

However, she told the Observer: “The power sits with the minister [local Government minister Kevin Stewart] and he can overrule the carefully worded judgement of the Reporter for the public inquiry. Unfortunately it is the system that we have, and it obviously needs to change.

“We are continuing to campaign against this regrettable, arrogant and misguided decision by the Scottish Government. They have seriously misjudged the strength of public opinion on this issue.”

Mark Ruskell (right), MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, is among those who have vocally opposed the development – and last week he took First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to task on the issue at Holyrood.

During First Minister’s Questions he said: “Did the First Minister’s government not learn anything from the disastrous decision to approve Trump’s golf resort. Celebrities should not rule the planning system, and despite the celebrity spin, the real national tennis centre is only two miles up the road at Stirling University.

“Can the First Minister guarantee that there will be no public funding to bail out the Park of Keir project if it fails, and that public funds should only be used for genuine community tennis facilities in Scotland?”

Ms Sturgeon responded: “I’m not sure if the member [Mr Ruskell] was trying to put Judy Murray into the same category as Donald Trump, I certainly hope not.

“Moving on – planning decisions are taken absolutely in-line with planning rules and no other considerations are taken into account.

“The planning minister carefully considered all aspects of the Reporter’s report and concluded that the development is of regional and national significance for sport.

“Ministers are therefore minded to grant planning permission in principle subject to conditions and the conditions have been set out.”

Opponents have organised a ‘Walk for Park of Keir’ to take place on Saturday. Stirling MP Stephen Kerr will be among those joining protesters on the walk.

RAGE say that the aim of the event is to highlight their objection and “protest the Scottish Government’s affront to local democracy”.

They insist it’s also a chance to enjoy the landscape while it’s still there and meet with fellow objectors. Walks start at Bridge of Allan train station and outside the M&S car park in Dunblane – both at 10.45am – where there will be walk leaders present.

From each side they will walk to Park of Keir and they aim to meet at the top of Gallow Hill at around

11.30am.