Almost 100,000 against Loch Lomond Flamingo Land resort

It is now claimed to be the "most opposed planning proposal in Scottish history" after 94,000 people and organisations signed a petition objecting to the development at the iconic loch. 

The Yorkshire-based theme park operator has put forward plans for a waterpark, 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a monorail, and 372 parking spaces at the site, which will be named Lomond Banks. 

But concerns have been raised over the "terrible impact" traffic in the local area and the proposed sale of ancient woodland to the developer. 

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “I’m grateful to the 94,000 people who have objected to these appalling plans. Loch Lomond is a special place for millions of us around the world. 

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie called the plans appalling (Image: Archive)
  
"If these proposals are given the green light they would destroy a beautiful site on the banks and cause irreversible damage to the local environment. No wonder so many people are objecting to them. 
  
“What Flamingo Land wants to do is completely inappropriate and totally out of step with what people want. It is one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and we must protect it from these plans." 

Among those opposing the plans are local residents, Balloch and Haldane Community Council, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Woodland Trust.

It comes after the developers dropped previous plans in 2019 after a campaign involving Green MSP Ross Greer gathered what was then a record number of objections for a Scottish planning application.

The community campaign saw Flamingo Land scrap plans to build on ancient woodland at Drumkinnon Wood. 

However, campaigners claim the revised proposals will still see development on a "huge scale" and traffic levels peaking at "one car every 14 seconds" on the busy A82. 

Mr Harvie added: “I’d also like to thank my colleague Ross Greer and all of the local campaigners who have done so much to protect Loch Lomond and stand up for the communities who would be impacted by this mega-resort.” 

The final decision on the plans will be taken by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority in due course.

Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “We absolutely respect the democratic process and all who wish to share their voice on the proposals.

"We have been in liaison with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park throughout this journey and have been advised there are currently 746 notes of objection to our plans, along with a number of supportive representations."

Mr Paterson said the online petition by the Scottish Green Party "cannot be validated" in terms of names and addresses and it allows for "multiple entries" from the same person or household. 

He said: “Instead, we continue to be encouraged by feedback from key stakeholders, local businesses and members of the local community alike, and by their desire for jobs, a boost to the economy and inward investment for their town.

“As such, in an area that has long been zoned and identified in local development plans as an area for key tourism development, we believe our revised plans, while sympathetic to their surroundings, will create an exciting prospect for the gateway to Loch Lomond that local people will be proud of for generations to come.”

Among a range of concerns highlighted in the past by public bodies and objectors, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) demonstrated a serious flood risk to a large area of the proposed Flamingo Land site.

NTS, recognised as Scotland's leading conservation body and the country's largest members organisation, said that proposals could negatively impact on existing local businesses.

“The attraction of the extra jobs and enhanced tourism offering this would bring to the Balloch area is understandable," read a Trust statement, "however it seems at such a scale it would draw business away from the existing tourism businesses and compete with them for a limited supporting labour market.

“Along with other businesses and organisations in the area we have been aware of existing recruitment difficulties this year in finding staff for cleaning and catering.

“More demand would stretch this finite resource even further.”