A multi-million pound Flamingo Land development near Loch Lomond should not go ahead, the planning authority responsible for the national park has said.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has recommended that planning permission for the visitor and tourist complex should be refused.
The controversial £40m proposals by Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land, which includes a hotel, self-catering lodges and a swimming pool, have already been met with more than 150,000 objections lodged in a campaign portal set up by the Scottish Greens.
A new report by the National Park Authority’s director of place outlines that the proposal would result in a significant amount of development in an area of flood risk and would result in the removal and clearance of trees and woodland “without appropriate compensatory planting”.
They said it would not “deliver the required significant biodiversity enhancements that would support wider outcomes to tackle the nature and climate crises” as outlined in planning framework.
It also concluded that the scale of proposal is too big, bringing it into conflict with the site’s capacity for development.
The conclusion follows an assessment and consideration of key documents, policies and statutory requirements.
The report forms a recommendation only while the decision on whether to approve or refuse the application for the development will be taken by the National Park Authority Board on September 16.
The National Park Authority will be holding a hearing and board meeting at Lomond Parish Church in Balloch due to the level of public interest in the proposal.
A site visit will also take place on September 16 to allow board members to gain information relating to the land or buildings relative to the proposed development.
The development has been dubbed “the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history” by the Greens.
The party has also called for an end to a deal between the theme park operator and Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency, if the resort is rejected.
Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “Our exclusivity agreement with Scottish Enterprise follows on from a stringent, public tender process where our proposals for West Riverside were deemed to be the most feasible to bring to fruition and closely met the objectives and ambitions for the area in the Local Development Plan.
“Through real, positive dialogue with local residents, businesses, and stakeholders, we’ve shaped our plans to meet the area’s needs and aspirations for job creation, economic growth, and inward investment, whilst being sympathetic to the area’s natural beauty.
“We fully expect that our agreement will continue as per the conditions set out in the contract. Our commitment to Balloch and West Riverside is unwavering, and we believe our proposed development is sustainable, environmentally sound, commercially viable and will be a catalyst for investment, generating opportunities for both the local community and Scottish tourism for years to come.”
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