Flamingo Land’s proposals to build a theme park at Loch Lomond have received objections from more than 150,000 people.
The objections were reported on a campaign portal set up by the Scottish Greens and led by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer on what they describe as the “damaging and destructive plan”.
The proposals would see 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a water park, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops and more built on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch.
The application will be discussed at a meeting of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park board on 16 September, marking the second time the proposals have been discussed by the board. Flamingo Land’s failed first attempt to build at Loch Lomond was opposed by just under 60,000 people and described by Greer as “the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history”.
The majority of the site is owned by Scottish Enterprise, and objectors to the latest proposals include the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland, as well as the local community council.
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.”
He added: “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.”
Photo © Flamingo Land
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