Calls to scrap Flamingo Land Loch Lomond plans and replace it with water sports school

Campaigners are stepping up calls to scrap plans to build a new Flamingo Land on the shores of Loch Lomond and replace it with a water sports school.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the latest to come forward to oppose the development over flooding fears.

Sam Paton from the group Save Loch Lomond said: "Tourists need something more authentic like a museum showing the heritage of the local area.

"We also need better infrastructure for people coming to visit the area such as motorhomes, toilets and caravans.

"The local area simply doesn't have the infrastructure to handle all the congestion that would descend on us if this development opened."

The plans also include new holiday homes and a monorail.

Developers say it would create 200 full and part-time jobs in the area.

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “We have been liaising with SEPA for some time with regards to our adoption of National Planning Framework 4, and are working through the flood risk assessment based on meeting the criteria set out in the Agency’s policy 22 section A.

"This stipulates that they can support redevelopment of previously used sites in built-up areas where the Local Development Plan has identified the need to bring these into positive use – which our proposals for Lomond Banks clearly demonstrate.

“We will continue to work with SEPA to reach a workable conclusion, satisfactory to all parties, and to ensure we fulfil our promise for delivering the sustainable commitments intended here.”

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