Protest against Park of Keir moves online
New petition is directed at First Minister
Campaigners bidding to halt the controversial Park of Keir development have launched an online petition destined to be forwarded to Nicola Sturgeon.
They are asking the First Minister to ensure Scottish Ministers’ decision on an appeal by Park of Keir Partners who include Judy Murray and Colin Montgomerie - is not “another Trump fiasco”.
Ministers will have the ultimate say on the application, which was ‘called in’ by them when the developers lodged an appeal after Stirling Council’s planning panel voted by a majority to reject the application for a tennis centre, golf facilities and luxury housing between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.
The campaigners say the Scottish Government were misled and let down by Donald Trump over his proposal to develop the Menie estate and believe there are “parallels” with the Park of Keir proposals.
A spokesperson for RAGE, the campaign group, said: “Once again developers are trying to build on this beautiful area but this time they have teamed up with Judy Murray and Colin Montgomerie and tried to convince the local people that the sporting facilities are for the benefit of the local communities.
“Scottish ministers are now to determine the outcome of this appeal because they say this development could be of national importance. Yet there is no evidence that there is a need for this centre and if there was that this would the best place for Judy Murray’s ‘legacy’ for her sons and the business plan does not appear viable. It is just another attempt by the developers to build luxury houses on land they have owned for more than two decades.”
In their plea to the First Minister they say: “Please make sure the decision on Park of Keir is based on evidence and not on the interests of property developers and sporting celebrities, Judy Murray and Colin Montgomerie.
“Park of Keir is historic Greenbelt separating the two distinct communities of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. These hills, fields and woods are highly visible and valued as an undeveloped green space. There is overwhelming public opposition to the proposed development of a new tennis and golf centre, 150 bed hotel and luxury housing.
“The proposal to build here is the result of chance. Judy Murray knows the landowner who has been trying to get permission to build houses on this greenbelt for 25 years. The fact that the applicants, Park of Keir Partnership, will not consider the project without the luxury houses says it all.
“We are very concerned that when Park of Keir Partnership appealed the decision of Stirling Council Planning Panel, rather than the usual process of the issue being decided by a planning expert appointed by the government, the matter has been ‘called in’ to be decided by Scottish Ministers. This implies that the Ministers may wish to approve the plan in spite of the sound planning arguments against it, in spite of the local council’s democratically reached decision, and in spite of grave doubts about the viability of the business plan supporting the application.
“We expect our government ministers to act responsibly in the interests of the whole community and not simply in the interests of millionaire developers whose promises are backed by expensive PR.”
Park of Keir Partners declined to comment on the latest move, however their appeal submission argues the proposal complies with the development plan and the council should have considered the development as a whole instead of focusing on the residential element.
The developers have said they plan to transfer around 85 per cent of the land at the park to a Community Interest Company for the creation of a country park in order to help protect much of the site from further development, although opponents remain sceptical.