Plans to build a £20m tennis centre near Dunblane, led by Judy Murray, the mother of Sir Andy Murray, have been shelved.
A spokesperson for the Murray Play Foundation charity confirmed that the Park of Keir project is no longer viable in its current form. According to the charity, “significant increases in construction, material, energy and labour costs, a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies” were the primary factors driving the decision.
The centre was intended to serve as part of Sir Andy Murray’s legacy by providing communities with greater access to sports. Judy Murray had won an eight-year planning battle to build the complex south of Dunblane at the end of 2021. Despite this victory, the scheme encountered ongoing opposition from local campaigners due to its location on greenbelt land and the inclusion of new luxury housing in the development.
Following a professional career conclusion over the summer, Sir Andy Murray, who supports various initiatives, including a sportswear business, faced the disappointment of seeing the project halted. The Murray Play Foundation spokesperson expressed regret, stating, “It is with deep regret and sorrow that we bring this project to an end and, with it, a unique opportunity for a sporting legacy from the careers of two young men from Dunblane who reached the top of their sport and inspired countless people to play the game.”
Judy Murray has dedicated her life to promoting sport and tennis, and this project was envisioned to provide a lasting base in Scotland that would extend beyond her lifetime. Over 12 years, she invested significant time and effort, encountering both indifference and opposition. However, several factors ultimately rendered the project unviable in its current form, leading to the decision not to seek detailed planning consent for the Park of Keir site.
The charity will now consider other initiatives aligned with its mission to offer more people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, opportunities to pursue sport, fitness, and physical activity. Meanwhile, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell stated that the project’s shelving offers an opportunity to focus on building a more appropriate legacy for Sir Andy’s success. Ruskell remarked, “I am proud the local community has stood up and protected Park of Keir. This area is the jewel in the crown of our greenbelt that stretches from Dunblane to Bridge of Allan, and it’s important that landscape has been saved.” He also noted the potential damage the proposed luxury housing development could have caused to the ancient woodlands and crucial greenbelt land.
The decision to shelve the £20m tennis centre project near Dunblane highlights the complex interplay of rising costs, planning uncertainty, and community opposition, ultimately prioritising the preservation of greenbelt land over new development ambitions.