Dumbarton’s MSP has blasted Scottish Enterprise bosses after they revealed they will not cut ties with Flamingo Land despite their controversial plans for a £40million Loch Lomond resort being thrown out.
Jackie Baillie claims the move effectively paves the way for Yorkshire-based attractions operator Flamingo Land to appeal against Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority’s decision to refuse permission for their proposed Lomond Banks development.
The proposed 46-acre ‘Lomond Banks’ resort, which would have built 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops and more on the iconic shoreline, was hugely controversial with locals and green groups.
On September 16, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park unanimously rejected the firm’s plans for the resort on land at West Riverside.
And the deadline for an appeal to the Scottish Government passed on December 16.
But Scottish Enterprise – Scotland’s national economic development agency – chiefs have now extended the agreement “to allow any planning appeal to be considered” and has said it is complying with Scotland’s statutory planning process.
Ms Baillie, who spoke in objection to the plan to create a complex including monorail, water park and hotel, in a section of woodland, said: “I’m extremely disappointed by Scottish Enterprise’s decision to extend the exclusivity agreement to the West Riverside site, which will effectively enable Flamingo Land to lodge an appeal.
“This was a unanimous decision of the Loch Lomond and National Park Authority’s board, following a very tense meeting, during which the feelings of the community were made clear.
“I am clear that there is significant opposition to this development in the community, for a variety of reasons.
Click here for more news and sport from West Dunbartonshire.
“It’s because of the feeling in the community and within the area that I have represented for 25 years, that I asked the First Minister to step in and end Scottish Enterprise’s agreement which ties Flamingo Land to the site.
“Unfortunately, as is often the case with the Scottish Government, these pleas fell on deaf ears.
“I am clear that the majority of the community do not wish this development to go ahead.”
A petition campaign led by Greer and the Greens against the wider plans garnered more than 155,000 signatures, which the party said made it the most objected-to planning application in Scottish history.
In response, a spokesman for Scottish Enterprise said: “Scotland’s statutory planning process is designed to ensure that economic, environmental and community interests are all taken into account when an application is considered.
“That is why we opted to make any sale of the land at West Riverside subject to planning permission, ensuring that the full range of evidence and views are fully considered.
“We believe this process should be allowed to run to its conclusion. Scottish Enterprise will therefore extend the Conditional Missive with the developer to allow any planning appeal to be considered.
“We continue our engagement with Balloch and Haldane Community Council around their plans to see how we can support them while this process is ongoing.”
Flamingo Land submitted an application to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park back in 2018 in a bid to create a tourist development, including a hotel, craft brewery and leisure facilities at the West Riverside site.
But the controversial plans attracted opposition from local residents and community groups who fought against the proposals. The original proposal was withdrawn following 55,000 objections.
The applicant then came back in 2020 with fresh plans but that was booted out in September this year at a fiery meeting. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority voted unanimously against the scheme.
Ms Baillie then called on First Minister John Swinney to step in and end Flamingo Land’s ties to the site in the Holyrood chamber in the wake of the decision and urged Scottish Enterprise to listen to the views of the community and terminate the bid.
Flamingo Land has been contacted.