Controversial plans for a new tourist resort on the banks of one of Scotland’s most iconic lochs have been thrown out by national park bosses.
Flamingo Land wanted to build a £40million attraction at Loch Lomond, including a hotel, monorail, self-catering lodges, water park and shops.
But yesterday Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) turned down the proposal which it recommended be rejected on the grounds that ‘the scale of the proposal overall is considered to be in conflict with the site’s capacity for development’.
The decision comes just weeks after the creators of the Lomond Banks proposal claimed the plans had been ‘weaponised as a political football’ and the merits of the development lost to ‘click-bate antics’.
Development director, Jim Paterson, claimed park bosses had been ‘heavily influenced’ by ‘misinformation’ from activists.
The view of Loch Lomond beach will remain unspoiled after the plans for a new tourist resort were rejected
Campaigners, including Green MSP Ross Greer, cheered as plans for the Flamingo Land resort were thrown out
One local supporter of the plans yesterday told a public meeting that opponents had been ‘duped’.
But there were huge cheers when the plans were unanimously rejected, with some members of the public hugging after developers were told they could not go-ahead.
National Park board convener Heather Reid said the debate had been marred by ‘speculation, misinformation and allegations’ that were ‘unfounded and unjustified’.
She said the plans had been rejected for a number of reasons, including flood risk, failing to deliver on enhancing biodiversity, the threat to local woodland and that it was too large in scale for the area.
Dr Reid added: ‘The National Park Authority Board [has] unanimously refused a planning application for a major tourism development at West Riverside and Woodbank House in Balloch.
‘This decision was taken following a thorough, robust and transparent process.
That process included a site visit, careful consideration of the planning assessment report, and of consultation responses from local and national public bodies, other statutory consultees, and representations from members of the public.
‘The role and purpose of National Parks is changing. It is recognised that National Parks can provide leadership for nature recovery and significantly contribute to becoming a Net Zero Nation.
‘As such, our National Park Partnership Plan states that future development and infrastructure within the National Park should support tackling the climate emergency and maximise opportunities to deliver or enable nature restoration.
‘Ultimately the Board felt that this proposed development would not do that.’
The scale of the proposed Flamingo Land resort at Loch Lomond was deemed to be in conflict with the site’s capacity for development
The plans have provoked a huge public outcry, which saw the firm pull the plug on its first attempt in 2019.
But it came back just a year later with renewed proposals which were given the green light by West Dunbartonshire Council this spring.
Mondays decision comes after almost 155,000 people objected to the development in an online petition, prompting critics to brand it ‘the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history’.
A further 834 were made directly to park bosses themselves, with just 69 supporting the plans.
Billed as a ‘world-class family holiday park’, it would include two hotels, 104 self-catering holiday lodges, restaurants, retail areas, and a craft brewery visitor attraction and beer tap hall.
It would also feature an outside event and performance space, as well as 372 parking spaces.
On its Lomond Banks website the company stated the development would ‘complement the local environment’ while ‘bringing much needed investment and job creation to West Dunbartonshire’.
But locals claimed ‘a man-made development, particularly on the scale proposed will scar the landscape and environment for ever’.
Others believed the ‘natural and beautiful place enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for hundreds of years and should be left in peace’.
The National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, and local community councils also objected to the scheme, as did Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie and Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer.
However, Reverend Ian Miller, interim moderator at Lomond Parish Church of Scotland, said: ‘People around the world have been led to believe this will be a risk to Loch Lomond. Honesty has been in short supply in this debate.
‘The area has been described as one of Scotland’s most iconic sights - you’re having a laugh. The area was a shunting ground.’
He said only 10 per cent of households responded to an opportunity and ‘pain, misery and hopelessness’ existed in the region, exacerbated by joblessness.
He added: ‘My interest is the kids I see walking home might find gainful employment here. I’ve lived here 49 years and would not support anything which is detrimental to the community I love. I urge you to be brave, lets co-operate and find answers to approve this. If there is any increase in employment, I’ve got to vote for it for their sake.’
Speaking after the decision, Green MSP Ross Greer said it was a ‘huge victory’ for his Balloch constituents.
He added: ‘After this defeat, I’m calling on Flamingo Land to drop their plans for good and end this decade-long saga. After years of stress and anxiety for local residents, they must commit to no third attempt. Loch Lomond does not need a mega-resort and whatever tweaks they make to these daft plans, they will never go ahead.’
After the meeting Dr Heather Reid, convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board, said the decision took place ‘following a thorough, robust and transparent process’.
She said: ‘That process included a site visit, careful consideration of the planning assessment report, and of consultation responses from local and national public bodies, other statutory consultees, and representations from members of the public.’
Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: ‘We are disappointed but not surprised as we anticipated this decision following the case officer’s earlier recommendation.
‘We believe we have a really strong case as this is a responsible investment that will create many opportunities for the area and Scotland as a whole. We remain fully committed to the process.’