Plans for an Andy Murray ‘legacy’ centre in Dunblane are scrapped

Plans for a tennis centre close to Andy Murray’s hometown of Dunblane have been scrapped over planning points and rising prices.

The £20m undertaking, led by his mom Judy Murray, aimed to construct a neighborhood multi-sport facility at Park of Keir to mark the tennis legacy of the Murray household.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) pledged £5m to the undertaking however it met opposition from campaigners who stated it shouldn’t be constructed on inexperienced belt land.

Judy Murray’s charity, the Murray Play Foundation, stated “with deep remorse and sorrow” it might not go forward.

A basis spokesperson stated: “Over 12 years, Judy has invested important time and encountered indifference and opposition for a lot of that interval.

“However, she and her staff persevered till a number of elements conspired to depart the undertaking unviable in its present type.

“We not plan to hunt an in depth planning consent on the positioning at Park of Keir.”

Significant will increase in development and vitality prices, the extended planning course of and ongoing discussions with governing our bodies had been cited as causes for abandoning the undertaking.

Andy Murray, the previous males’s primary and two-time singles champion at Wimbledon, retired final month after competing on the Olympics in Paris.

Judy Murray stated she was pissed off on the lack of a legacy in Scotland from his tennis profession.

Andy’s brother Jamie Murray can also be a seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion.

The basis spokesperson added: “The Murray household is pleased with what they’ve contributed to tennis within the UK and stay dedicated to rising the sport.”

The charity stated it might now take into account different initiatives to offer extra folks with the chance to pursue sport, health and bodily exercise.

The proposed facility at Park of Keir would have included tennis, padel and pickleball courts.

Former world primary tennis participant Billie Jean King beforehand backed the undertaking, calling it the “greatest legacy” for the Murray household.

Writing on X, she stated: “Surely making a base in Scotland for Andy, Jamie and Judy to provide again to their sport by doing what they do brilliantly, growing the subsequent technology of coaches and gamers is one of the best legacy for them.”

The LTA, Britain’s governing physique for tennis, had pledged £5m to the undertaking final month.

Chief government Scott Lloyd had stated they had been proud to help a undertaking which might be of “nationwide significance to Scotland”, in addition to an “essential neighborhood facility”.

However, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell was a type of opposing the undertaking.

He stated: “I’m proud the area people has stood up and guarded Park of Keir.

“At the guts of this undertaking was an unique luxurious housing growth that might have been damaging to the native panorama and would have eroded historic woodlands and essential greenbelt land.”

The Scottish authorities accepted planning permission in precept for the ability in December 2021, following an enchantment by the builders.

Stirling Council had rejected plans for the event, which additionally included housing and a lodge.

However, Scottish ministers overruled this determination, saying the advantages of the plan would outweigh the lack of inexperienced belt land.