Councillors refuse to object to Flamingo Land plans for Loch Lomond

Initial plans for a Flamingo Land resort near the village of Balloch in West Dunbartonshire were withdrawn in 2019 after a petition demanding the plans be scrapped attracted more than 60,000 signatures.

However, the plans for up to 104 lodges, 372 parking spaces, two hotels, a waterpark and even a monorail were revised under a new company name, Lomond Banks, in 2022.

Despite the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) lodging a holding objection to the proposed site where lodges are set to be built due to it being designated as a flood plain, Lomond Banks has stated that its plans are exempt as the location was previously used as a railway line until the 1980s.

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A second petition calling for the plans to be scrapped has garnered more than 85,000 signatures.

However, last week West Dunbartonshire Council decided against objecting to the plans at the current stage despite council planning officials recommending they support the proposal.

Instead, a majority of councillors supported a Labour motion which reserves the right for the council to object to the bid as it continues through the planning process.

The board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is expected to make its decision on whether to grant permission for the resort in the coming months.

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However, Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer (below) has condemned councillors for failing to object to the plan and bring an end to the long-running dispute.

“This was a very disappointing decision by West Dunbartonshire Council and a huge missed opportunity,” he said.

"Councillors could have helped us bring this ridiculous saga to an end by putting their full weight behind an objection, but sadly a majority decided to take this neutral position put forward by Labour instead.

“Those councillors who supported the majority of their constituents deserve credit for proposing a thorough objection, which I would urge their colleagues to reconsider and adopt as soon as possible.

“West Dunbartonshire Council’s 2019 objection was key to getting Flamingo Land’s original plans dropped. Many local people will find it impossible to understand why they have decided not to object again, particularly given that Flamingo Land’s plans have not fundamentally changed and remain massively unpopular.

“Councillors should have stood with the community and against the wealthy developers trying to exploit one of Scotland’s most well-loved landscapes.

“Instead, they have kicked the can down the road.

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“The plans are opposed by a vast majority of local residents, Balloch and Haldane Community Council, 85,000 members of the public, the National Trust for Scotland and many others.

“In their desperation to make a profit out of an iconic and precious location, Flamingo Land has treated the area and its residents with contempt for almost a decade now.

“I urge councillors to listen to the clear views of their constituents on this, submit an objection as soon as possible and help us shape a different future for Balloch, one which puts the community and environment first rather than corporate profits."

Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “We continue to be encouraged by feedback from key stakeholders, local businesses and members of the local community alike, and we know that the objecting petition does not represent all views within the local community or their desire for jobs, providing a boost to the economy and inward investment in Balloch village.

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“Language such as ‘mega resort’ is hugely inflammatory and grossly misleading. Our plans are in keeping with an area which has been zoned for local tourism development. Huge sections of the proposed site will remain untouched and preserved, including the ancient woodland of Drumkinnon Woods, with Lomond Banks bringing about biodiversity gain.

“We respect anyone who wishes to engage in the consultation process around the proposals and it is worth pointing out that there are currently 314 objections registered on the National Park portal. The numbers Mr Greer refers are from an online Green Party petition for which there is no way to validate either the numbers or locations of those who clicked on it.

“We have had genuine and productive engagements with the local community in Balloch over the past two years. We have spoken and listened to real people, local and national businesses, alongside other stakeholders and as a result, our plans have indeed taken those valued responses into account.

“We remain committed to creating a world class, sustainable tourist destination that is both fitting for the area and sympathetic to its important location at the gateway of Loch Lomond, whilst providing numerous opportunities and investment so that the economic benefit for both the local area and Scottish tourism will be enjoyed for years to come.”