Residents consider a ‘funeral for democracy’

Residents of Judy Murray’s home town are considering holding a “funeral for democracy”, after the Scottish Goverment’s controversial approval of the number one tennis mum’s plans for a “world class” sports academy to breed a new generation of Scots stars on green belt land near Dunblane, Perthshire.

Ministers announced on Wednesday that they would grant the £37.5 million project planning permission “in principle”, deciding to ignore an official recommendation from a public inquiry reporter that it be rejected.

Locals, some of whom have spent 30 years opposing successive schemes to build on the green field site, beside the Park of Keir roundabout at the junction of the M9 and A9, were meeting in Dunblane last night to discuss their next moves.

They have already signaled they are considering an appeal to the Court of Session. But any such legal move must be started within six weeks.

Du nb lane Community Council, which also opposed the proposals at the eight-day public inquiry held in the town last year, is also considering its next step.

The inquiry reporter, Mr Tim Brian, said he was “not persuaded” of a “compelling local need for a new tennis complex at Park of Keir”, but Scottish local government minister Kevin Stewart overruled him, saying Mrs Murray’s plans was of significant regional and national importance.