A DEBATE is set to be held over a "totally inappropriate" second attempt to build an "exclusive resort" on the shores of Loch Lomond in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
Green MSP Ross Greer, who campaigned fiercely against the initial proposal from Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land, will lead the debate which he says will give MSPs a chance to reflect on residents' concerns.
Flamingo Land has set out a new proposal for a tourist spot in the area after the last one was withdrawn in 2019 following the submission of some 60,000 objections.
While campaigners have been successful in having the ancient woodland at Drumkinnon Woods removed from the plans this time, the revised proposal would still see development on a huge scale, including 127 self-catering lodges of varying sizes, a hotel with up to 60 beds, a waterpark, a craft brewery, and a monorail.
Flamingo Land said it has now adopted an “enhanced ecological approach” to protect the local environment.
Greer 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 concessions from the developer 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 and Loch Lomond.
“As West Dunbartonshire council pointed out last time, this would put huge pressure on local roads which already struggle to cope during tourist seasons.
"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.”
The motion to be debated on Wednesday reads: "That the Parliament notes the reported application lodged by the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land, for the development of a so-called "luxury resort" on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch; understands that this is Flamingo Land’s second application for a development on the site, with the first application reportedly having been withdrawn following a record 60,000 objections being lodged with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park authority; congratulates local residents and the Save Loch Lomond campaign for, it believes, having protected the ancient woodland at Drumkinnon Woods, which it understands is no longer the proposed location for dozens of guest lodges, but remains concerned about a number of reported issues with the current application, including its overall scale, public access to Drumkinnon Woods and the wider site, pressure on local roads and the principle of selling public land at one of Scotland’s most famous locations to a private developer."
Jim Paterson, development director for the Lomond Banks project, has said the project would be beneficial to the local community.
He said: “After an extensive period of reflection, community liaison, and enhanced ecological studies to make Lomond Banks the best it can be, I am delighted to be submitting our plans and taking forward a proposal which we believe is both robust and of benefit to the local community."
He said Flamingo Land wanted to complement what makes Loch Lomond so attractive to visitors.
