Campaign to ‘save Loch Lomond’ launched as Flamingo Land Lomond Banks plans submitted

The move comes as the owners behind Yorkshire based theme park, Flamingo Land, have submitted plans for an accommodation led resort on the shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch.

The Greens launched a campaign two years ago, after the first plans were submitted, which saw the application withdrawn.

The party are encouraging concerned individuals to lodge objections to the plans via a dedicated website.

A post as part of the site reads: “It will be essential to understand the details of the proposal but what's already clear is that their plans are once again far too big, inappropriate for the location and will involve handing over a special piece of publicly owned land for the sake of private profit.”

A planning application for “a major development” was registered with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park on May 26.

The plans include information on this accommodation-led resort, which would include a refurbished tourist information building, up to 60-bedroom apart-hotel and 32-bed budget hotel as well as up to 127 self-catering holiday lodges.

Speaking in 2019, after first plans were submitted, Green MSP Ross Greer said: “Flamingoland Loch Lomond is now the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and when you look at their proposals, it’s no surprise why.

“Time and time again, it’s only the Greens standing with communities when they fight to protect Scotland’s environment against corporate takeover and destruction.

“Our campaign to save Loch Lomond will continue until the National Park reject these plans and this threat is ended once and for all.”

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “Our extensive public consultations prior to submission demonstrated that the community took a very balanced and considered view on the development and the many benefits it would bring. We listened carefully to a range of opinions – as you should in any democratic process – and reflected these in our submission.

“These were genuine and productive engagements with local people, businesses and other stakeholders, not online clickbait designed to simply drive up numbers from unknown sources.

“The area is zoned for tourism development and has been in the vision of the Balloch Charrette for many years. We recognise there are many points to consider and discuss, but we remain confident that what we have proposed is a strong starting point for us to move forward discussions with the planning authority.

“We are keen to engage with all parties, including the National Park, to create something that is fitting for the area and is sympathetic to its important location at the gateway of Loch Lomond.”