A Green campaign which saw 60,000 objections lodged against Loch Lomond resort plans has been re-launched after new proposals were submitted.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions last week, Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said that it would be “unacceptable for one of the most accessible locations on Loch Lomond to be closed off to all but the select few who will pay to stay at this resort.”
However, Flamingo Land, which has lodged the plans, has assured the area of West Riverside would remain fully accessible to all should plans be approved.
Two weeks ago, Flamingo Land submitted outline planning submission to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority for the development at West Riverside and Woodbank House in Balloch.
Proposals include a 60-bed apart-hotel, 32-bed budget hotel, up to 127 self-catering lodges, a monorail, leisure pool, water park, spa, water sports hub, restaurants, cafe and craft brewery with a pub. If agreed, the A-listed Woodbank House would be refurbished to provide up to 15 self-catering apartments.
The company say there are “fundamental changes” to the original plans, including the removal of development in Drumkinnon Woods.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Greer said: “The First Minister will be aware of the long running campaign to prevent Yorkshire theme park operators Flamingo Land from developing what they describe as a luxury tourist resort on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch.
“Our successful efforts to defeat their first application saw a record 60,000 objections lodged with the national park, citing the damage to ancient woodland, risk to protected species, strain on local roads, access for local residents and a range of other concerns.
“Sadly Flamingo Land are back, having just lodged a new application for a development of the same scale on the same site.
“National parks are for all of us. It would be unacceptable for one of the most accessible locations on Loch Lomond to be closed off to all but the select few who will pay to stay at this resort.”
Nicola Sturgeon replied: “It is for the park authority to fully consider the application and assess the balance between the impact of the proposed development on the environment and with any potential benefits.”
James Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “I would like to reaffirm our position that at no point would the resort be closed off to wider visitors.
“Our intention is to create an tourism and leisure resort that families can come and enjoy as part of their Loch Lomond/Balloch experience, not exclusively so.
“With this in mind, we wholly appreciate that ensuring access to the area is paramount to creating those strong links with the local community.
“These plans are within a location that for a long time has been designated for such a development, and we believe we have struck the right balance between bringing strong economic growth and employment opportunities to the area, being ecologically sensitive to the natural surroundings and ensuring Lomond Banks is something that everyone will be able to enjoy.”
