Scotland's most controversial project sets a new record for complaints

Controversial plans to build a holiday park on the banks of Loch Lomond have attracted a record number of objections, according to the Scottish Greens.

Theme park operator Flamingo Land lodged a second application to build a hotel, self-catering lodges and a waterpark near Balloch after previously withdrawing earlier plans due to a public outcry.

By September 2019, 60,000 objections had been lodged to the initial plans - a new record in Scotland.

But that figure has been surpassed on the developer's second attempt, with the Greens saying a campaign led by their MSP Ross Greer reached more than 65,000 objections on Thursday.

READ MORE: Concern about holiday park impact on ancient woodland

READ MORE: Greens vow to fight revived Loch Lomond development

Unwanted

Mr Greer said: "There can be no clearer sign for those considering this nature-wrecking application that the public do not want it in our national park.

"A record number of people, more than the 60,000 who objected previously, agree that this is the wrong plan for the wrong place and that it should be rejected at the earliest opportunity.

"The community at Balloch are overwhelmingly opposed to these plans and I know how much they appreciate the support from across the country.

"Flamingo Land's owner promised that he would rip it up and move on if it was clear the development was not wanted by the community. He should now make good on that promise and walk away.

"This 'resort' would be a scar on the area, a blight on a world famous natural landscape, and a slap in the face to tens of thousands of people who have voiced their objections.

Embarrassment

"If the sheer embarrassment of having the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history isn't enough, if the strength of community feeling against it isn't enough, if the weight of expert opinion from the likes of the Woodland Trust and National Trust for Scotland isn't enough to force Flamingo Land into walking away, then it is for the national park's board to do the right thing and reject their plans entirely.

"Flamingo Land's mega resort plans have no place at Balloch, and I will continue to campaign with this army of objectors until our corner of Loch Lomond is safe. Together, we'll beat them for good this time."

Developers hit back

The development direct of the project, Jim Paterson, has hit back at Ross Greer and branded the petition "a sham".

He said: "Ross Greer has once again demonstrated that he is more interested in clickbait politics aimed at raising his own profile than having a constructive dialogue about what could be a major investment into both the local economy in Balloch and Scotland as a whole," he said.

"He has relentlessly tried to interfere with a statutory planning process that doesn't sit within his jurisdiction and - in a shameless attempt to get people to click his online petition - the majority of the claims he has made about our proposals are utterly false.

"We have spoken and listened to real people, local and national businesses, and other stakeholders about how we can create a world class, sustainable tourist destination that is both fitting for the area and is sympathetic to its important location at the gateway of Loch Lomond," he said.

"We have legally promised to leave the ancient woodland of Drumkinnon untouched and with our recent resubmission, the removal of 'area 10' means that in fact our plans will bring about biodiversity net gain.”

The final decision will be made by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority.

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