Judy Murray blasts claims her axed tennis centre was ‘a front’ for luxury homes

JUDY Murray has hit back at claims that her sons’ tennis legacy development was a “Trojan horse” for luxury housing homes in their hometown – as Sir Andy broke his silence on the saga.

Fierce opposition in Dunblane and spiralling costs led to the shock decision to abandon the £20million Park of Keir project after a 12-year struggle.

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Greens MSP Mark Ruskell welcomed the U-turn after locals feared it was a “Trojan horse” for homes to be built on “jewel in the crown” green belt land.

But a source close to Judy, 64, mum of Grand Slam champs Andy and Jamie Murray, insists that any housing proposals had “nothing” to do with her family.

An insider said: “There has been too much misrepresentation and false info of what this was always meant to be.”

The plug was pulled despite pledges of £10million from the Scottish Government and Lawn Tennis Association.

Responding to a news article on the issue on X, Sir Andy wrote: “What a surprise” alongside a rolling eyes emoji.

The source added: “This was always a community pay-to-play multi-sport centre with tennis at the heart.

“It was set up as a charitable foundation and totally funded to date by the family.

“There was tennis, padel tennis and pickleball plus a gym, a Multi Use Games Area and soft play.

“This was never to be a centre of excellence as there is a centre of excellence at Stirling University in nearby Bridge of Allan.”

“It was all about getting people active and making sport accessible and affordable.”

Trustees of Murray Play Foundation stated this week: “Judy has invested significant time and encountered opposition for much of that period.

“However, she persevered until several factors conspired to leave the project unviable in current form.”

But MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mr Ruskell MSP said: “This area is the jewel in the crown of our greenbelt and it’s important that landscape has been saved.

“At the heart of this project was an exclusive luxury housing development that would have been damaging to the local landscape and would have eroded ancient woodlands and crucial greenbelt land.

“We all want to see a fitting tennis legacy for Andy Murray across Scotland. I hope that Sport Scotland, the LTA and other parties can re-focus on delivering a Murray legacy in communities across the whole of Scotland.”