A debate will be held in Scottish Parliament on Flamingo Land’s renewed plans for a tourist resort in Balloch.
Green MSP Ross Greer will lead the debate tomorrow, which will give MSPs from all parties the opportunity to have their say on the proposals.
Last month, the Yorkshire-based firm submitted outline planning submission to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park for the development at West Riverside and Woodbank House in Balloch.
Proposals include a 60-bed apart-hotel, 32-bed budget hotel, up to 127 self-catering lodges, a monorail, leisure pool, water park, spa, water sports hub, restaurants, cafe and craft brewery with a pub.
If agreed, the A-listed Woodbank House would be refurbished to provide up to 15 self-catering apartments and there are also proposals for a visitor reception, performance areas, children’s play areas and picnic and barbecue sites.
The firm say there are “fundamental changes” to the original plans following nearly 12 months of consultation, including the removal of development in Drumkinnon Woods.
Flamingo Land withdrew plans almost three years ago for the holiday village after Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park planners recommended they be refused. It followed thousands of objections including a petition amassing almost 60,000 signatures.
Mr Greer has rebooted a Green campaign after the new proposals were submitted.
He said: “I’m pleased to have secured the debate, which will give MSPs the chance to explore the issues with Flamingo Land’s plans and reflect on the concerns of local residents.
“While there are some welcome changes this time – especially the exclusion of Drumkinnon Woods from the plans – the proposals are still on a scale which is totally inappropriate and which would have huge consequences for Balloch.
“As the council pointed out last time, this would put huge pressure on local roads when they are already struggling during busy tourist seasons, particularly the A82.
“I’m still concerned by the effect this largely enclosed resort would have on existing local businesses, who could see trade drawn away from them.
“And that’s not to mention the impact such a huge development will have on the world-famous natural landscape of Loch Lomond, the very thing tourists come to see in the first place.
“One of the things which makes Balloch so special is how it makes Loch Lomond accessible to anyone who can afford a train fare from Glasgow. Putting an exclusive resort in the way of that would be a step backwards.”
Flamingo Land has assured the area of West Riverside would remain fully accessible to all should plans be approved.
James Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “I would like to reaffirm our position that at no point would the resort be closed off to wider visitors.
“Our intention is to create a tourism and leisure resort that families can come and enjoy as part of their Loch Lomond/Balloch experience, not exclusively so.
“With this in mind, we wholly appreciate that ensuring access to the area is paramount to creating those strong links with the local community.
“These plans are within a location that for a long time has been designated for such a development, and we believe we have struck the right balance between bringing strong economic growth and employment opportunities to the area, being ecologically sensitive to the natural surroundings and ensuring Lomond Banks is something that everyone will be able to enjoy.”
