Flamingo Land proposals 'should not go ahead', report recommends
The National Park Authority Board has been advised to refuse the planning application for a theme park near Loch Lomond
Last updated 3rd Sep 2024
A £40million Flamingo Land development near Loch Lomond should not go ahead, the planning authority responsible for the national park has said.
The 188-page report, published by Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park officers today, will be considered by the park's board at a public hearing on Monday 16 September, concluding with a final vote on the application.
More than 151,000 people have already lodged objections to the controversial proposal using a campaign portal set up by the Scottish Greens, making it by far the most opposed planning application in Scottish history.
Objectors include the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust, Ramblers Scotland and Balloch & Haldane Community Council.
The proposal would see 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, staff accommodation and more built onto the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch.
'Surely the end of the road'
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer says Flamingo Land "must withdraw" its proposals for Loch Lomond following the report.
He said: “This devastating report is surely the end of the road for Flamingo Land’s ludicrous plans. After dragging this sorry saga out for a decade, they now need to withdraw the proposal and leave Loch Lomond alone. Today is a huge victory for our campaign.
“For almost a decade I’ve worked with residents of Balloch to stop Flamingo Land from wrecking their community.
"This mega-resort would simply overwhelm the local area and scar one of Scotland’s most iconic natural landscapes.
"I’m incredibly proud that the detailed objection we submitted has clearly influenced this report and the recommendation to reject.
“Over 151,000 people have already joined us in saying no to these daft plans, with hundreds more doing it every day.
"It is utterly staggering that Flamingo Land has spent years ignoring the clear opposition of the local community and of people across Scotland.
"They have chosen to inflict so much stress and misery on local people. Now it is time for them to walk away and accept that they have lost.”
Developers 'extremely disappointed'
Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “We are extremely disappointed with the recommendation made by the case officer. We believe we have met all technical criteria set out for the site in the Local Development Plan and have exceeded requirements in terms of our legally binding promises to the local community.
“We remain committed to our plans, which we believe would bring about huge benefits to the Balloch community and beyond. These include £40million of sustainable investment and jobs shaped by the feedback from key stakeholders.
“We would urge the National Park board to consider the many merits this application presents.
“As this is a PPiP (Planning Permission in Principle), the next detailed planning stage gives ample opportunity to ensure all specific concerns relating to the development are met and acknowledged far in advance.”