A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for a new resort on the banks of Loch Lomond has been ruled out after a massive community backlash, to the relief of many locals.
More than 150,000 people signed a petition organised by the Scottish Greens opposing the Flamingo Land development, which was rejected by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority on Tuesday night.
The National visited Balloch, the site of the proposed resort, to gauge the opinions of locals on the developer's plans being rebuked.
The vast majority of people interviewed by The National were glad the development was not going ahead.
Common complaints included the lack of suitable road infrastructure in the area, the risk of environmental damage, and the impacts it could have on the job market.
Only one person The National spoke to, area taxi driver Chris, said he was in two minds about it.
He said: "The thing itself, I wasn't objecting to. I mean, I know people were worried that trees were getting knocked down and stuff.
"But when I grew up, that was a pit down there, there wasn't any trees down there anyway, this is a new forest in the last 30 years.
"I think most of the public I talk to are neither here nor there about it. Some people were passionate about it not coming, but I wouldn't say anyone was passionate about it coming."
The site proposed for the Flamingo Land resort is currently mostly underdeveloped, consisting of new-growth forest and some open green space.
Chris continued: "I quite like the idea of something else coming to Balloch, because there isn't much to do.
"But, the infrastructure's not here, it's as simple as that. In a busy day in the summer, there's a gridlock
"I think as long as it didn't ruin the area, I was happy enough to see it coming. But I think it would have caused massive tailbacks and traffic jams.
"I think there would have to be infrastructure there first, personally."
Several other locals who opposed the development shared that, if the planned resort was smaller, they could have been amicable towards it.
Others shared that they did feel like some aspects of the project would have been beneficial, such as the redevelopment of the former Woodbank House hotel which is currently a ruin.
Donald Cameron, an 85-year-old pensioner who attended the Tuesday evening meeting which saw the proposal off, had strong feelings against the development.
He said: "I hate it. We're very seasonal here. Four months of the year, this is us, after that it's laid off.
"So what you're proposing is out of proportion to the size of the place. Two hotels, lodges to let and all this, of course it'll damage us."
Most of the locals The National spoke to highlighted the seasonality of Balloch, and worried that the resort would have exacerbated a local trend where many jobs are only available for a few months out of the year.
Heather, a local coming off the Glasgow train, summed up the views of most locals interviewed, saying: "Yes, I've seen that on social media. I never went to the council or anything like that. But obviously, in this local area, it's a big no go.
"Obviously, if they've got money to spend, that's fine, but we're literally talking about a whole new road infrastructure, let alone the actual park, yeah?
"There was half of people saying, you know, it could bring jobs, it could bring certain things to the area, but there's literally nowhere to put anybody.
"There's nowhere to put their cars, nowhere to drive anywhere where everybody gets gridlocked."
The opinions shared are largely in line with those heard by The National when it last went to Balloch in June.
Flamingo Land has been rejected in the area before once, with a larger proposal being withdrawn over lack of community support in 2019.
The question now in the air is whether Flamingo Land will come back for a third attempt at getting planning permission.
The firm still has a deal with the Scottish Government giving it an exclusive right to develop the land, leaving the option of a third try open.
According to residents, the key to success could be proposing an even smaller yet development.
