Judy Murray wins battle to build tennis centre and Andy Murray museum

Judy Murray wins battle to build a tennis centre and Andy Murray museum in luxury home development on greenbelt land near Dunblane after controversial plans were approved by Scottish government

  • Plans include a Sir Andy Murray Museum as part development of luxury homes
  • The tennis coach’s plans also include an 18-hole golf course and a four-star hotel
  • Stirling Council had previously rejected the move after residents complained
  • More than 1,500 people signed a petition and politicians stood against the plans
  • But developers appealed to the Scottish Government who overturned the ruling 

Judy Murray has won a battle to build a tennis and golf centre after controversial plans were approved by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish tennis coach, 62, is behind plans to build a Sir Andy Murray Museum which will form part of a development of 19 luxury homes near to their hometown of Dunblane.

Stirling Council had previously rejected the move after residents complained about building on greenbelt land between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.

More than 1,500 people had signed a petition and local politicians had also stood against it.

But developers appealed the decision to the Scottish Government who have now overturned the ruling.

The development will also include an 18-hole golf course and a four star 150-bedroom hotel, which will be able to host corporate events and sports coaching courses.

Judy Murray (pictured with her son Sir Andy Murray) has won a battle to build a tennis and golf centre after controversial plans were approved by the Scottish Government

Murray, 62, is behind the scheme which will see a museum built in honour of double-Wimbledon winner son Sir Andy near to their hometown of Dunblane. Pictured: Park of Keir Partners plans

The Park of Keir is a partnership between Murray, Colin Montgomerie and the King Group, who see the park as the ‘perfect location’ to give ‘young people the best possible opportunity’ to try sports, according to the partnership’s website.

The tennis centre will pay tribute to Sir Andy while the golf centre will be in honour of Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie, with the website saying ‘two of Scotland’s most prominent sporting figures’ are behind the two sites.

There will also be a new 150 acre community park with woodland walks on the site, as well as an adventure park for children and an all-weather pitch for five-aside football.

Dunblane Community Council, which opposed the scheme, said it was ‘very disappointed’ to learn Scottish ministers had granted permission for the Park of Keir development.

They added: ‘Dunblane Community Council is very disappointed to learn today that Scottish Ministers have granted planning permission to the Park of Keir development.

‘It is a decision which ignores widespread local concerns and makes a mockery of the planning process.’

The site (concept design pictured) will also boast an 18-hole golf course and a 150-bedroom hotel, which will be able to host corporate events and sports coaching courses

The Park of Keir is a partnership between Murray, Colin Montgomerie (pictured) and the King Group, who see the park as the ‘perfect location’ to give ‘young people the best possible opportunity’ to try sports, according to the partnership’s website 

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: ‘Gutted. This decision will destroy an historic landscape that has existed at Park of Keir for centuries.

‘This development always about building exclusive rural mansions than a real tennis legacy.’

Approval is subject to 22 conditions, including a proviso that the new houses can only be occupied once the tennis and golf centres are open to the public.

The letter says this is to to ensure the homes are only built ‘as part of a comprehensive package of development and not independently’.

A further condition limits the number of houses to 19 as the ‘absolute minimum’ required to support the development.

Stirling Council had earlier rejected Murray’s plans after residents complained about building on greenbelt land between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. But developers appealed the decision to the Scottish Government who have now overturned the ruling 

Giving the scheme the green-light, Scottish government-appointed reporter Timothy Brian said: ‘Scottish Ministers conclude that the Park of Keir development is of regional and national significance for Scottish sport.

‘The proposed tennis and golf centre in particular would make an important contribution to the aim of increasing participation in both sports while also providing facilities for the community.

‘There will also be economic benefits, both to the local area and more widely.

‘Scottish Ministers also conclude that the enabling housing development is required to cross fund the tennis and golf centre to ensure that the sports facilities are accessible to the general public with an affordable pricing structure.’

A spokesman for Stirling Council said: ‘Stirling Council acknowledges that the Scottish ministers have approved the application.’

Tennis Scotland and Park of Keir have been approached for comment. 

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