Reject Flamingo Land, Loch Lomond officials tell national park bosses

A record 57,000 objections were made to plans by the Yorkshire theme park firm to create a new waterpark, monorail, brewery and accommodation in scenic Balloch, known as the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Now planning officials have urged national park board members to reject the controversial plan in newly-published guidance.

It says the scheme contravenes local development plans, sustainability goals and would result in an "unacceptable loss, deterioration and fragmentation of ancient woodland habitat".

The news was welcomed by campaigners, but the final decision will not be made until the park authority's board meets in Alexandria on September 24.

Jonathan McColl, leader of West Dunbartonshire Council – which serves Balloch but has no say over the park's decision – said he "whooped loudly" and threw his "hands in the air" when the news broke.

He also urged Flamingo Land to remove the application in the face of the opposition, suggesting they "do the decent thing and go"

Meanwhile, Green MSP Ross Greer, who headed a campaign to "save Loch Lomond", said: “This is a monumental victory for our community campaign.

"I am delighted that officials have recognised the avalanche of objections from residents and people across Scotland who value their publicly-owned national park.

“A glance at the plans shows quite clearly why anger is so widespread. Their proposals admit the development will result in injury and death to red squirrels and otters, pollute running & standing water and damage ancient woodland.

“The park board must now acknowledge what their own officials, the public and the local authority have told them about the potential impact of this development.

"To grant permission now would be to put the interests of big business ahead of the public and the world-famous environment and wildlife of the loch. It’s time to reject Flamingo Land once and for all.”

Local Labour MSP Jackie Baillie also welcomed the news, saying: "It is clear that the local community has not been the priority of the developer and there are concerns that the development would negatively impact on the local economy as well.

"I hope that the board of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will heed the advice given by their planning officers when they vote on the application."

And MP Martin Docherty-Hughes MP commented: “I welcome the news that National Park officials have recommended that the Flamingo Land development at Balloch should be rejected.

“I share the concerns of groups such as Ramblers Scotland and the Woodland Trust who say the development would result in an unacceptable loss of local woodland and difficulties for road users.

“It’s vital now that the park authority board listens to these concerns and formally rejects the planning application.”

While the Yorkshire attraction includes thrill rides and a zoo, Flamingo Land said the Scottish resort – to be called Lomond Banks – would not be a theme park and would bring jobs to the area. Loch Lomond Brewery, currently based in nearby Jamestown, was lined up to move in to the new taproom.

But earlier this summer the Sunday National revealed how McColl wrote to Scottish ministers urging them to call the application in, suggesting the potential sale of the land for the development – currently owned by Scottish Enterprise, with holiday park bosses named as the preferred bidder – may breach best value rules.

It was purchased by the publicly-owned development agency for £2m, but the potential sale would see it pass to the private sector operator for just £200,000.

Today Andy Miller, director of the Lomond Banks project, said: “We have always respected the officers’ professionalism and it is disappointing that they have recommended refusal of our plans for Lomond Banks. Loch Lomond is a national treasure and our plans seek to enhance the natural beauty of the area while attracting more people to the benefit of the local economy. We remain hopeful that the national park board will recognise the merits of the scheme and grant permission for the proposals at their meeting on 24th September.

“Following recent news reports about West Dunbartonshire Council’s net debt – and it being the highest in Scotland – investments like Lomond Banks should be welcomed. Our ambition is to invest £30m, creating more than 200 jobs and bringing significant benefits to local businesses. It is a real shame that the people of West Dunbartonshire might miss out because we know that Lomond Banks can add immeasurable value to the area.”