THE Scottish Greens have condemned promises made by the developers of a proposed holiday park on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Earlier this month the National Park Authority expressed concerns about the Lomond Banks development in Balloch, which would see the construction of up to 127 self-catering cottages, a waterpark, and a monorail in the Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Officials from the National Park Authority requested answers on 16 separate issues from Lomond Banks contractors Stantec, including about its impact on the environment.
Among the issues raised was the lack of clarity on how the project would impact ancient woodlands and water quality.
However, Lomond Banks has now released a document which aims to reassure locals that the development will make a positive impact on the area.
The legal document – labelled “The Lomond Promise” – commits the developer to the vows it has made to the community at pre-application stage, relating to employment and training, supporting local business and supply chain, alongside measures to maintain and conserve the ancient woodland of Drumkinnon Wood.
“The Lomond Promise removes any doubt that may exist within the local community about our intentions for the site in the long term and demonstrates our commitment to being an active and responsible participant of the Balloch business community,” said Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks.
“It is very clear in this situation that the community and their thoughts around our proposed development must be heard and properly considered, so we have directly addressed those concerns by providing the community with what is essentially a contractual guarantee that the measures we have put forward will be delivered."
He added: “The Lomond Promise sets out a legally binding contract that should planning permission in principle be granted, we will be legally obliged to implement its terms as part of the development.
“We are steadfast in our belief that we can bring considerable economic and social benefit to Balloch and the wider area with our proposed development, not to mention a much-loved tourism destination that will revitalise the gateway to Loch Lomond and offer a wider boost to existing businesses that already operate here.”
The promise also states that a woodland management plan for the protection, maintenance and enhancement of Drumkinnon Wood would also be put in place to preserve and maintain the ancient woodland.
However, Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has questioned the sincerity of the promise.
Speaking to The National he said: "Local people have had enough of Flamingo Land trying to pull the wool over their eyes.
"These so-called promises are contrary to what is actually in their plans, which will wreck local woodland, increase traffic levels and would inevitably restrict access to the site.
"Even if we were to take the company at their word, Flamingo Land are setting a very low bar for themselves on just about every count.
"The 34,000 objections lodged so far, and the surveys which show local residents are opposed by a margin of three to one, show just how strongly people feel about protecting the world-famous natural landscape of Loch Lomond.
"No amount of warm words and non-binding promises can change the fact that this is a garish, oversized and totally inappropriate development, one that would have huge and negative consequences for Balloch and Loch Lomond. We are confident that the National Park will recognise this and show Flamingo Land the door once again."
In 2019, the first proposal was rejected after more than 60,000 people signed a petition which opposed the development and National Park officials recommended it be abandoned.
However, the plans were resurrected in 2020 under a new name.
