Judy Murray housing plans delayed by complaints

THE deadline for objections to a controversial housing and leisure development being created by Judy Murray has been extended after complaints by campaigners.

File photo of Judy Murray. Colin Montgomerie and the King Group are also involved. Picture: John Devlin

The Park of Keir development had already attracted around 200 objections before the initial closing date on Tuesday.

Now, Stirling Council has confirmed the deadline will be extended until council planners are ready to make a recommendation on the development, which could be some way off.

Planning permission for the tennis and golf super-centre near Stirling, was lodged last month by the Park of Keir partners -- Judy Murray, Colin Montgomerie and the King Group which owns the land.

The new centre, at Park of Keir between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire, will feature of six indoor and six outdoor tennis courts, a six-hole golf course with practice range, mini golf, a 3G multi-sport all weather pitch along with changing facilities, coaching suites, and cafe restaurant, if planning permission is granted.

The plans include 100 homes and a hotel to reflect the area’s growing importance in tourism and sport.

The Park of Keir facility is expected to create around 170 jobs in the local area.

Ann Shaw, secretary of the campaign group fighting the development, Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE), said she contacted planning bosses at Stirling Council to request the extension.

She said: “It is typical of the way planning applications are dealt with by our council.

“Controversial ones are submitted at a time when people are least likely to have time to consider it such as now, during the holiday season, or just before Christmas.

“Many organisations, such as the local community councils, do not meet during summer and have not had time to look at this application, yet it impacts on all our lives.”

Plans for the development were announced in autumn 2013 and following a series of public consultation events and meetings with key community stakeholders, Judy Murray and Colin Montgomerie said they had made changes to the original proposal for the centre and its surroundings.