Flamingo Land's Loch Lomond exclusivity deal must end, SNP government told

THE Scottish Greens have called on the First Minister to end the exclusivity agreement between a government agency and Flamingo Land’s proposed Loch Lomond development.

This week, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority rejected plans for a controversial development on the banks of the loch – which included two hotels and more than 100 self-catering lodges as well as a waterpark and other amenities.

However, under the terms of an agreement with Scottish Enterprise, the firm currently has exclusive rights to develop the site.

Now, Ross Greer – a vocal critic and campaigner against the plans – has called for this deal to be scrapped.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Greens MSP told John Swinney that this would allow for more positive alternative proposals to come forward.

“I am delighted by the park board’s unanimous rejection after a decade of attempts by Flamingo Land to force this daft mega-resort on Balloch,” Greer said.

“Over 154,000 people joined our campaign and objected. They were joined by the Woodland Trust, Ramblers, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

First Minister John Swinney (Image: Getty) “But at its core this was a community campaign and my constituents in Balloch and Haldane want to turn the page.

“I’ve written to the First Minister to request that the Scottish Government terminate Flamingo Land’s exclusive contract with the government agency who own most of the site.

“This agreement was renewed after their first failed application in 2019, and it’s the key reason this threat has hung over the people of Balloch for a decade. It has prevented more appropriate development proposals from coming forward.

“So, can I ask the First Minister, will the Scottish Government end rather than renew this agreement? And will they review the use of exclusivity agreements and the impact they have on communities like Balloch?”

The First Minister responded that there will be "mixed opinions" over exclusivity agreements but that they serve a purpose including accelerating planning developments in areas like renewable energy. 

"I'd simply say that we have to have a broad view of these questions," Swinney added.