Public voice is critical to ending Flamingo Land proposals for good
The board of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park have announced that they will suspend their standing orders in order to hear the full arguments in the case of Flamingo Lands' destructive Loch Lomond resort proposals. Local Green MSP Ross Greer, who has led the campaign against Flamingo Land, has welcomed the news that adequate time will be given to those opposing the mega-resort plans at a public hearing on 16th September.
Mr Greer had previously raised concerns with the Park and Scottish Government that the normal format of Park board meetings, which would have given objectors to the proposals other than the Community Council just 5 minutes in total to speak, would be unacceptable for such a high profile hearing.
Given the 145,000 objections lodged so far, this format would have resulted in only 0.002 seconds per objector.
The proposals for a luxury resort on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch are the most objected-to plans in Scottish history, following a campaign led by the Scottish Greens.
Responding to the news of the public hearing being extended and livestreamed, Mr Greer said:
"I'm glad the National Park has decided to suspend its standing orders and allow for the substantial debate clearly required for a proposal as destructive as Flamingo Land. I had previously raised in writing that the normal format of five minutes for all objectors other than the community council would equate to about 0.002 seconds per individual who has lodged their opposition, which clearly wouldn't have been acceptable.
"The long list of reasons for rejecting this mega-resort include the flood risk, more than 250 additional cars on congested local roads at peak times, damage to local wildlife and risk to existing local businesses. It is only right that every one of these points is given enough time to be carefully weighed up against Flamingo Land's spin. We will now arrange for our full team of experts, legal advisors and local residents to present a comprehensive case against these daft plans.
"The decision to livestream proceedings is also a big improvement on the proposed 2019 hearing and will boost public confidence that this decision is being taken in an open and transparent manner. The National Park has been given a difficult task, and I appreciate the work they are putting into ensuring the public's voice will be heard at what is probably the most high-profile planning hearing in Scottish history."
The board of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park have announced that they will suspend their standing orders in order to hear the full arguments in the case of Flamingo Lands' destructive Loch Lomond resort proposals. Local Green MSP Ross Greer, who has led the campaign against Flamingo Land, has welcomed the news that adequate time will be given to those opposing the mega-resort plans at a public hearing on 16th September.
Mr Greer had previously raised concerns with the Park and Scottish Government that the normal format of Park board meetings, which would have given objectors to the proposals other than the Community Council just 5 minutes in total to speak, would be unacceptable for such a high profile hearing.
Given the 145,000 objections lodged so far, this format would have resulted in only 0.002 seconds per objector.
The proposals for a luxury resort on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch are the most objected-to plans in Scottish history, following a campaign led by the Scottish Greens.
Responding to the news of the public hearing being extended and livestreamed, Mr Greer said:
"I'm glad the National Park has decided to suspend its standing orders and allow for the substantial debate clearly required for a proposal as destructive as Flamingo Land. I had previously raised in writing that the normal format of five minutes for all objectors other than the community council would equate to about 0.002 seconds per individual who has lodged their opposition, which clearly wouldn't have been acceptable.
"The long list of reasons for rejecting this mega-resort include the flood risk, more than 250 additional cars on congested local roads at peak times, damage to local wildlife and risk to existing local businesses. It is only right that every one of these points is given enough time to be carefully weighed up against Flamingo Land's spin. We will now arrange for our full team of experts, legal advisors and local residents to present a comprehensive case against these daft plans.
"The decision to livestream proceedings is also a big improvement on the proposed 2019 hearing and will boost public confidence that this decision is being taken in an open and transparent manner. The National Park has been given a difficult task, and I appreciate the work they are putting into ensuring the public's voice will be heard at what is probably the most high-profile planning hearing in Scottish history."
