Judy Murray's Park of Keir tennis and golf hub receives blow from planning officer’s report
A development group led by tennis coach Judy Murray, mother of star Andy Murray, has been dealt a blow after a prominent member of Stirling Council’s planning office said that it could not support plans for the creation of the Park of Keir sporting hub in Scotland.
Led by Murray and the King Group, the project is also backed by her son Andy and former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, as well as members of the sporting community, including official groups such as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and Tennis Scotland.
The group submitted an application for planning back in July for the creation of the Park of Keir development, which would potentially feature a museum and visitor centre, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a golf course with clubhouse and practice areas, as well as a hotel housing leisure and conference facilities
There are also proposals for outdoor and indoor leisure offerings, as well as cycling and walking routes on the expansive site.
If built, the facility would be home to six indoor and six outdoor all weather tennis courts, with a practice wall, coaching suites, changing rooms, café with viewing gallery, shop and crèche.
The facilities would also be capable of hosting competitions and coaching courses for all levels, with outreach programmes being run to deliver tennis and golf into local schools and clubs.
However, in a recent 10-page report written by Claire Milne, principal planning officer at Stirling Council, concerns have been expressed about proposed high-end housing being built to help fund the project, which would potentially fail to cater for affordable housing needs in the area.
Objections have also come in the form of environmental issues, with the site being proposed on what is 110 hectares of farmland and woodland between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. It is suggested that development could harm the distinct identity of the area.
In response, the developers plan to meet with the council to discuss the issues raised in the report, with council members considering the application at a later date, as the likelihood grows that Scottish ministers may make the final call on its future.
Murray has long been an advocate of looking to explore the development of grassroots tennis and other leisure activities, with the coach and captain of the British Fed Cup team exploring plans for a hub as far back as 2009
ukactive to join forces with Judy Murray to get families active
Judy Murray to appear before committee to discuss grassroots sports
Murray plans new Scottish tennis facility
World-class coaching development scheme unveiled in Edinburgh
Murray helps raise cash for Scottish junior tennis development
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more