Protest march to Park of Keir site
Trek is show of solidarity
More than 200 people against plans for a tennis centre and luxury housing on Park of Keir walked to the site of the proposed development at the weekend.
Groups met in both Bridge of Allan and Dunblane before making their way on foot to the top of Gallow Hill where they gathered in a show of solidarity on Saturday morning.
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr joined Mid Scotland and Fife MSPs Mark Ruskell and Alexander Stewart in delivering speeches to those who attended.
Councillor for Stirling West Neil Benny was also there along with representatives from Dunblane and Bridge of Allan community councils and campaigners from protest group RAGE.
After meeting at Bridge of Allan train station and outside Marks and Spencer in Dunblane, groups set off for Gallow Hill in their numbers – with around 100 people in each gathering.
The walk, organised by RAGE, was designed to indicate objection to the plans for a tennis centre and luxury housing at Park of Keir while giving protesters the chance to meet and discuss the issue.
The planned £40 million development, which is backed by Judy Murray, was given the green light from the Scottish Government last month despite an independent Reporter, who chaired a public inquiry into the proposal, recommending refusal.
Protesters from both communities may be separated by geography – but were united when it came to their stance on the protection of the greenbelt land.
Toni Bambridge was among those who spoke to the Observer about the issue. She said: “You can see the number of children that are here – and I think we need to think about them and their future.”
Bridge of Allan man Andrew Morris joined the walk with wife Carla and young son Rowan and they were also keen to show their opposition.
Iain McCusker of Bridge of Allan Community Council was worried about the impact the whole process could have on the legacy of the Murray family.
He said: “The government are basically trampling over democracy and we want to make sure we stand up against that. We’ve already won the planning and moral argument.
“It’s disappointing and I think it actually takes away from Andy and Jamie’s legacy that this is being done in their name.”
A spokesperson for RAGE added: “It was great to meet so many of our supporters and to listen to the optimistic and inspiring speeches from MSPs and our MP. People of different ages shared experiences from different perspectives – 80-year-olds were reminiscing while young families enjoyed natural outdoor play. There were cyclists, ecologists, runners, walkers, artists and historians expressing their concern for the area, showing that the green belt is about much more than just providing zones of separation between communities.
They added: “That a single politician can disregard the whole planning system and local democracy makes one question his suitability for that job.”