Councillors u-turn to reject Flamingoland resort at Loch Lomond

Plans for a £30 million resort at Loch Lomond were unanimously rejected by councillors in a u-turn from their original decision to back them.

West Dunbartonshire Council unanimously rejected the plans last night but a decision still needs to be made by the board of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

The bid, backed by Scottish Enterprise has so far generated over 56,300 formal objections to the proposed development, making it the most unpopular planning decision in Scottish history.

The council is the major statutory consultee in the planning process, with the decision due to be taken by the board of Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

The development plans feature a water park, 60-bedroom apart-hotel, a craft brewery, boat house, leisure centre and restaurants.

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer welcomed the council’s decision to recommend to reject the proposals.

Ross Greer said: "This is a huge moment for our campaign. I’m delighted that West Dunbartonshire Council has, despite the apparent recommendations of officials, listened to the overwhelming opinion of local residents and others across Scotland who value our national park and want to see these plans rejected.

"Flamingoland is the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history.

"It would see public land in our national park sold off to a private developer, whose profits will disappear out of the community and whose own environmental impact assessment conceded major damage, including injury and death to red squirrels and otters, pollution of running and standing water and damage to ancient woodland.

"With opposition growing to such unprecedented levels and now including the local council, as well as groups like the Ramblers and Woodland Trust, it’s clear that the National Park should reject the plans and protect this public land."