Judy hits back at MSP’s Park of Keir swipe
Comments are rebuffed
Judy Murray has spoken out over comments describing £37million plans for a development at Park of Keir as a “vanity project”.
The tennis coach, mum to Wimbledon champions Andy and Jamie, was reacting to a statement made last week by Mid Scotland and Fife regional MSP Alexander Stewart, who is also a resident of Bridge of Allan.
Mr Stewart criticised the Scottish Government for allowing a ninth extension of talks between Park of Keir Partners, including Judy Murray, and Stirling Council, over the controversial plans for a tennis centre and luxury housing between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.
The council was tasked with ironing out conditions attached to planning permission granted after Scottish ministers called in the plans.
The latest extension - granted after the coronavirus lockdown was launched gives the parties until the end of June to tie matters up.
This week, however, Judy Murray said she was “disappointed and frustrated” by comments made about the project.
It is believed she has now written to Mr Stewart offering to discuss matters with him in the hopes of cultivating “a fair and balanced view of the project”.
She suggested comments inferring that the existence of Stirling University’s centre for excellence negated the need for the Park of Keir development relied “no doubt on the misguided views of a small group of people locally who have consistently misrepresented our project”.
She said: “To be crystal clear, we are promoting a community, pay-and-play multi-sport facility with an outreach programme that has nothing to do with elite sport and everything to do with growing grassroots sport in the local area by providing people with an opportunity to begin to play sport or to undertake those activities for fun and enjoyment.
“The centre will make sport accessible and affordable to the local community and a charitable trust has been set up to manage the operation.”
Referring to comments made about the project’s “inherent difficulties” she said she’s be interested to know what these are.
“I am not aware of any such difficulties,” she added. “I am also sure that going through the due process with Stirling Council, however long that process takes, is preferable to not doing so. We expect our discussions with the council to be concluded positively soon.”
Ms Murray drove home a previously made point that the Park of Keir area may even be enjoyed by more locals thanks to the project.
“As you know, my family has lived in Dunblane for many years. I was brought up there, my parents live there and it will always be my family’s hometown.
“I have no interest whatsoever in creating a facility that will undermine the natural beauty of Dunblane, Bridge of Allan or the land in between the towns.
“On the contrary, I believe we will make that piece of land more accessible to many more people and will be completely respectful of its place in the environment.
“I am also certain that Scotland needs more of this kind of multi-sport community facility, to help address significant social and health issues caused by a lack of physical activity.”