Plans for Sir Andy Murray ‘legacy’ centre in Dunblane scrapped

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

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

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

Judy Murray’s charity, the Murray Play Basis, stated “with deep remorse and sorrow” it could no longer go forward.

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

“Nonetheless, she and her staff persevered till a number of elements conspired to go away the venture unviable in its present type.

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

Important 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 venture.

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

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

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

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

The charity stated it could now contemplate different initiatives to supply 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 venture, calling it the “greatest legacy” for the Murray household.

Writing on X, she stated: “Certainly making a base in Scotland for Andy, Jamie and Judy to present again to their sport by doing what they do brilliantly, growing the following era of coaches and gamers is the perfect legacy for them.”

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

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

Nonetheless, Inexperienced MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell was a type of opposing the venture.

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

“On the coronary heart of this venture was an unique luxurious housing improvement that might have been damaging to the native panorama and would have eroded historical woodlands and essential greenbelt land.”

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

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

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