A retired minister has come under fire for supporting a controversial £40million resort by holiday firm Flamingo Land. Ian Miller took part in a slick promotional video for their Loch Lomond side development but failed to mention his son was a former boss at the company.
Flamingo Land is involved in a bitter battle with locals and environmental groups over plans to build a complex at Balloch, similar to the one that already operates in Malton, Yorkshire. Rev Ian Miller, a former minister at nearby Bonhill Parish Church, has previously backed the resort development and claimed it would bring benefits to the area including jobs.
Ian’s son Andy Miller is a past director of sales of Flamingo Land and was involved in original plans for the Loch Lomond site before leaving his post two years ago. In the four-minute Flamingo Land video posted on YouTube last week, the 78-year-old churchman said: ”We need inward investment. As a member of the community council, I know we are desperate for this to happen.
“I believe this development will benefit the local area.” However, the Scottish Greens have branded the video a slick PR stunt and want planning permission refused.
Flamingo Land submitted an application to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in 2018. They withdrew the original proposal following a record 55,000 objections.
Flamingo Land lodged a second application in April after making changes. The new plan includes two hotels, 127 self-catering lodges, a water park, restaurants, shops, a craft brewery and a monorail.
Scottish Greens have opposed both applications and claim the latest one has 32,000 new objections.
West Scotland MSP Ross Greer said: “It was the most unpopular planning proposal in the history of Scotland and this second attempt is no different.”
Last week Miller, who lives in nearby Alexandria, laughed off suggestions of any bias through his son. He added: “It is ludicrous to say that because Andy did work there I am supporting this. Surely if that was the case, I would have withdrawn my support when he left.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
