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Search the Public Notice PortalTHE developers behind the proposal to build a Flamingo Land resort on the banks of Loch Lomond have said they are “extremely disappointed” after they were rejected by the Scottish Government.
The resort’s application, which was one of the most objected to in Scottish planning history with more than 150,000 submissions, was rejected after it was approved and then recalled by the Scottish Government.
Ministers cited concerns about the flooding risk and woodland loss when they announced what ministers described as a “finely balanced decision” on Tuesday.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park Authority initially rejected the plan in September 2024, only for government ministers to overturn that decision after an appeal. However, the plans were later recalled due to the impact on the local area.
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Lomond Banks – which is owned by the theme park operator Flamingo Land – had hoped to construct a major leisure development at Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, which included the proposal of more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a water park, a monorail and parking spaces for more than 300 cars at the site.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer, who assisted in leading a major campaign against the development, said he was “delighted” by the news and called the decision a “huge victory” for locals.
However, bosses behind the Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land Ltd, have criticised the Scottish Government’s plans to reject the proposed development.
Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said the decision was not only “bad news” for Scottish business and tourism but for local people who will “now miss out on jobs”.
“We are extremely disappointed by the Scottish ministers’ decision to dismiss our appeal for Lomond Banks,” he said.
“This proposal represented a transformational investment in Balloch and the wider area, delivering significant employment, regeneration and long-term economic benefits to one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.
“The independent reporter appointed by the Scottish Government carefully assessed the application and was still minded to recommend approval, recognising the substantial socio-economic, tourism and heritage benefits the project would bring.”
Paterson continued: “Today’s outcome is dismissive of the reporter’s recommendation and flies in the face of what this area was ear-marked to accomplish, which is bad news for Scottish business and tourism as a whole, not to mention the local people who will now miss out on jobs, local supply chain opportunities and wider investment as a result.
“We note that the ministers’ reasons for refusal relate primarily to flood risk modelling and ancient woodland impacts. We remain confident that these matters can be fully addressed through detailed design, further technical assessment and appropriate mitigation, as is standard practice at the planning permission in principle stage.
“We will now carefully review the decision in full and consider our options.”
Organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Ramblers, and the Scottish Government environment watchdog, Sepa, also raised objections against the plans.
After the Scottish Government confirmed on Tuesday that planning permission in principle had been refused, Greer said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have saved Loch Lomond and defeated Flamingo Land’s destructive plans.
“This is a huge victory for the local community and for the historic campaign we built over the last decade.”
The Scottish Greens co-leader added that 155,000 people had joined him in “objecting to these daft plans”, Greer said the decision shows “people power has protected Scotland’s most iconic landscape from this greedy corporation”.
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He continued: “It’s not hard to understand why this became one of the biggest environmental campaigns in Scottish history.
“This mega resort would have had a devastating impact on the iconic local environment, the community and the local economy.
“Flamingo Land’s own documents projected more than 250 extra cars per hour on local roads at peak times. Anyone who has ever been on the A82 knows that it couldn’t possibly cope with that and would only have led to misery for residents and visitors alike.”
While the decision of Scottish ministers is “final”, it could still be appealed to the Court of Session.
But Greer said: “My message to Flamingo Land today is simple – walk away.
“This community and the people of Scotland have told you time and again that your destructive plans are not welcome. It’s time to accept that verdict and end this saga. We have saved Loch Lomond.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers have dismissed the appeal and refused planning permission in principle for the Lomond Banks development due to flood risk, woodland loss and wider policy conflicts.”
In a letter setting out reasons for the decision, the Scottish Government accepted there were “significant socio-economic benefits associated with the proposed development”.
But it said there were also “substantial concerns relating to flood risk” as well as the “extent and location of woodland loss and gain”.
The Scottish Government also cited the “unique nature of the site, including its sensitive and prominent location” within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
It concluded: “Scottish ministers consider that the material considerations do not outweigh the identified policy conflicts with the development plan in this instance.”
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Heather Reid, convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, added that the Scottish Government’s decision means the National Park Authority’s refusal of planning permission in principle from September in 2024 stands.
She said: “We very much welcome this decision, which largely vindicates and aligns with key conclusions reached by both our planning officers’ recommendation and our board in its unanimous refusal of this application. It also provides welcome clarity as to how National Planning Framework 4 policies on flooding, woodland protection and biodiversity should be applied.
“This is a successful outcome that recognises the statutory aims of the national park and supports the long-term vision for the national park set out in our National Park Partnership Plan – a vision where people and nature not only coexist, but thrive together.
“Our Planning Officers will now review the ministers’ decision in full and consider all accompanying report details.
“There remains a six-week period during which the applicant or a third party may seek a legal challenge to the decision.
“Meanwhile, our long-term commitment to working with the local community in Balloch continues, ensuring their voices and priorities help shape future land use, including through the current preparation of its Local Place Plan and the Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan.”
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