150,000 oppose disastrous Flamingo Land proposal for Loch Lomond
The people of Scotland have sent a loud and clear message that Flamingo Land is not welcome at Loch Lomond, says Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who has led a campaign against the controversial mega-resort proposal.
Over 150,000 people have now lodged objections to the damaging and destructive plan using a campaign portal set up by the Scottish Greens.
It is by far the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and has been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland as well as the local community council.
The previous record for objections to a planning application was held by Flamingo Land’s failed first attempt to build at Loch Lomond, which was opposed by just under 60,000 people.
The Yorkshire-based theme park operator’s proposal would see 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops and more crammed onto the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch.
The fate of the application will be decided at a meeting of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park board on September 16th.
Mr Greer said: “The message from the local community and from across Scotland is loud and clear, Flamingo Land is not welcome at Loch Lomond.
“150,000 is a monumental number of objections for a planning application, which tells you all you need to know about just how destructive and unwelcome these mega-resort plans are. It would be a disaster for Balloch and for Loch Lomond.
"It would destroy the gateway to one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and have a devastating impact on local wildlife and nature, never mind the threat to local businesses and grief for residents.
“This saga has lasted for almost a decade, and the community is simply exhausted. They want Flamingo Land gone for good.
“I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to lodge their objection and make the scale of opposition known. The more people learn about Flamingo Land’s daft plans, the more determined they are to stop them.
“Early on in this process they promised to walk away if they didn’t win public support. We passed that point long ago. If they have any shame, Flamingo Land will drop this appalling application and leave Loch Lomond alone.”
