A controversial project led by Sir Andy Murray's mother Judy to build a £20m tennis centre near Dunblane has been shelved. A spokesperson for Ms Murray's charity, the Murray Play Foundation, said the Park of Keir project was no longer viable in its current form. The charity said in a statement that "significant increases in construction, material, energy and labour costs, a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies" were among the factors behind the decision.
It was hoped the centre would serve as part of Sir Andy's legacy after its completion by providing communities with greater access to sports. after winning three Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic gold medals and one Davis Cup during arguably the most competitive era in men's tennis. Ms Murray won an eight-year planning battle to build the complex south of Dunblane at the end of 2021.
But the scheme continued to face opposition from local campaigners due to the site being located on greenbelt land and new luxury housing being included in the overall development. The Murray Play Foundation spokesperson said Ms Murray had spent 12 years investing "significant time" on the project and "encountered indifference and opposition for much of that period". The spokesperson added: "However, she and her team persevered until several factors conspired to leave the project unviable in its current form and we no longer plan to seek a detailed planning consent on the site at Park of K.