Left speechless by Park of Keir twist

Dear Editor,

There has been an astonishing new twist in the 25-year battle over plans to save Park of Keir from development. It has now emerged that Stirling Council tax payers will pay a price if the Scottish government approves the latest plans.

The landowners and developers believe that the council must pay the “entire costs” they have incurred in making an appeal to the Scottish government over the rejection of their plans. Why? Because the developers maintain that Stirling Council behaved unreasonably in rejecting their plans to build houses, a hotel and a sports centre on this protected greenbelt land.

This means that some of the limited council funds which are needed to pay for schools, roads and care of the elderly will be diverted towards wealthy landowners and others behind these proposals. The local people who have struggled for over two decades to protect this beautiful area have had their eyes opened by this battle with the developers.

We have been amazed by some of the tactics but this attempt to get Stirling Council taxpayers to fund their campaign has left us almost speechless!

Part of the appeal document submitted by the developers to the Scottish Government reads: 10.7 This unreasonable conduct (by Stirling Council) has caused the Appellant to incur the unnecessary expense of pursuing the Appeal.

10.8 The award of expenses should clearly specify that the Council must pay the Appellant’s entire costs incurred in dealing with this Appeal.

In one respect we are pleased that the decision now rests with the Scottish government. They can make a decision about a new tennis centre independently of the plans to build houses on our greenbelt to fund it. With a national perspective they can decide if a new tennis centre is a good idea and, if so, then determine the best location. As far as we know there has been no analysis at all so far of where would be the best place in the country for a new tennis centre. We believe the plan to sacrifice Park of Keir is simply the result of chance. Judy Murray knows the developers who have been trying for decades to build here. Those opposed to the plans to build on Park of Keir can sign a new petition on change.org

Nick Pidgeon Coxburn Brae, Bridge of Allan