Ministers must reject Flamingo Land plans for Loch Lomond ‘for good’ – Greens

The Scottish Government should reject the controversial development plans for the shores of Loch Lomond “for good”, the Greens have said.

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer will join campaigners opposed to the Flamingo Land development at Holyrood on Thursday, urging ministers to throw out the plans.

Lomond Banks – owned by theme park operator Flamingo Land – has proposed to build more than 100 lodges, two hotels, a water park, monorail and parking spaces for more than 300 cars at the site, on the southern shores of the loch at Balloch in West Dunbartonshire.

In May, the Government’s reporter granted an appeal and approved planning permission in principle to the development – but placed 49 conditions on the application.

The developer has urged ministers to “see through the hysteria” on the issue and apply the rules fairly.

Mr Greer said: “After 10 years this saga must now come to an end. Local people have made their feelings known time and time again.

“They have been joined by over 150,000 people from across the country, expert organisations such as the Woodland Trust and the National Park’s own board and planning officers.

“Government ministers rightly recalled the outrageous decision of their officials to let these daft proposals go ahead, but that only happened because tens of thousands of us came together to show the strength of the public’s opposition to Flamingo Land.”

He continued: “This has gone on for far too long.

“It is time for the Scottish Government to let local people get on with their lives.

“They must save Loch Lomond by throwing out Flamingo Land’s destructive plans for good.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Ministers decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

“As this is a live planning appeal, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”