Decision day for Flamingo Land plans at Loch Lomond
The park authority are set to decide on the proposals on Monday 16 September
The final decision on controversial plans to build a Flamingo Land waterpark on the banks of Loch Lomond will be made today.
The plans, to be considered by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, would see two hotels built, along with more than 100 self-catering lodges, and a waterpark.
A similar project was previously rejected in 2019, with campaigners calling for the same to happen after the resubmission of the plans by Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land in 2022.
READ MORE: Tens of thousands of objections to lodged against Flamingo Land
Under the terms of an agreement with Scottish Enterprise, the firm has exclusive rights to develop the site.
But Green MSP Ross Greer has tabled a motion in Holyrood calling for the end of the deal should the plans be rejected on Monday, as well as urging ministers to reassess the future of such agreements.
"Garish and destructive"
He said: “The threat of this garish and destructive mega-resort has been hanging over the residents of Balloch for far too long".
The MSP for West Scotland wants to see this as the end of the line for the project, if it is rejected by the park authority.
He added: “It is staggering that Flamingo Land has pushed things this far.
"Over 150,000 people and many respected organisations have made clear that their daft plans are not welcome, but they have refused to listen.
"The local community and people across Scotland have made their feelings known.
READ MORE HERE: Flamingo Land proposals 'should not go ahead', report recommends
"I hope that at long last, today will mark the end of the road for Flamingo Land and a destructive proposal that Loch Lomond neither wants or needs.
"The worst kind of cultural and environmental vandalism"
"The loch is one of the most celebrated and unique landscapes anywhere in Scotland.
"It has been the backdrop of so many happy memories for people around the world.
"For Flamingo Land to scar it with this garish resort would be the worst kind of cultural and environmental vandalism."
Development director for Lomond Banks Jim Patterson said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the past two years to create something which the local area can be hugely proud of".
"We have been deeply encouraged by the number of supporters who have contacted us ahead of today's meeting. We hope for a fair hearing, where our proposals will be considered on the facts presented and not the false information that has been spread by others."
Members of the public can watch the meeting at the Loch Lomond and Trossachs website here.