Flamingo Land rejection is a huge victory for community, nature and for Scotland
The rejection of Flamingo Land’s proposed destructive Loch Lomond mega-resort is a huge victory for the community of Balloch, for nature and for Scotland, says the Scottish Green MSP who has led the campaign against the development for the past eight years.
The proposed development in Balloch would have seen the Yorkshire-based theme park operator construct 104 woodland lodges, a water park, two hotels, a monorail, 372 parking spaces and more within Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, one of Scotland’s most iconic natural sites.
West of Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer has led a campaign to stop the plans over the past eight years, successfully defeating the first application in 2018 and leading to the second attempt being the most objected-to planning application in Scottish history, with over 150,000 people lodging objections.
Speaking against Flamingo Land at a public hearing in front of the National Park’s board, Mr Greer laid out the economic, environmental and social harm the mega-resort would do to Loch Lomond.
Responding to the announcement from the National Park board, Mr Greer said: “This is a huge victory for my Balloch constituents and for our long-running campaign to save Loch Lomond. Residents have been united against this daft plan from the start, stepping up to defend one of Scotland's iconic landscapes. After almost a decade, this is the result the community and campaigners deserve.
“I am delighted that the Park board have rejected Flamingo Land’s destructive plans. Every one of the 155,000 people who objected to this application played an important role in securing today’s rejection and I am grateful to them all.
“After this defeat, I’m calling on Flamingo Land to drop their plans for good and end this decade-long saga. After years of stress and anxiety for local residents, they must commit to no third attempt. Loch Lomond does not need a mega-resort and whatever tweaks they make to these daft plans, they will never go ahead.
“All eyes must now turn to the Scottish Government agency who own most of the site and who granted Flamingo Land an exclusive contract in 2016, renewed in 2020. They must rip up this agreement and end Flamingo Land’s grip on the area.
“I am proud as the area’s Green MSP to have worked with the community and supporters from across Scotland to finally save Loch Lomond.”
