Flamingo Land resort receives approval from Scottish Government
The controversial Flamingo Land resort proposals have been granted approval by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government Reporter gave the multi-million pound water park development for the banks of Loch Lomond 'planning permission in principle' on Friday.
In other words, Flamingo Land will be allowed to proceed to the next stage of planning and scrutiny and reach an agreement with the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority – which rejected the proposals last year.
Although the Reporter 'had regard to all of the points that have been raised in objection', they said those objections provide 'no grounds to depart from the presumption in favour of development that accords with the development plan'.
The Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land celebrated the decision as a 'real milestone moment for the Lomond Banks vision'.
But Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer said he was 'shocked' and slammed the decision as an 'anti-democratic outrage'.
'I cannot believe that Flamingo Land's destructive and immensely unpopular mega-resort is being given the go-ahead by Government officials,' he said on Friday.
'Their destructive plans were unanimously rejected by the National Park's board, opposed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Park's expert planning officers and 155,000 people who joined our Save Loch Lomond campaign.'
More than 150,000 people previously objected to the development of the Flamingo Land waterpark on the banks of Loch Lomond.
It was also formerly branded 'the most unpopular planning application in history' by the Scottish Greens.
Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said the proposals have been informed by 'more than two years of positive engagement' with local communities and stakeholders.
'At the heart of our plans is a commitment to sustainable investment, local jobs, and a long-term partnership with the area, backed by our legally binding Lomond Promise to ensure the future prosperity of Balloch and beyond,' he said on Friday. Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trosachs Flamingo Land could impact lochside roads and communities.
Developers are hoping to create a 'world-class family holiday village' on the banks of Loch Lomond in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.
The current plans include a monorail, two hotels, 104 wooden lodges, up to 62 riverfront and woodland lodges, a pool, water park, and spa, restaurants, cafes, and shops, a craft brewery and beer tap hall, 372 parking spaces, outdoor event, performance and barbeque areas, and more.
'Despite what you may have heard, there are no rollercoasters, theme park attractions or flamingos earmarked for the development,' developers said on their website.
The Scottish Green party previously described these plans as 'garish and completely inappropriate' for the area.
Planning permission in principle does not mean that Flamingo Land will be able to proceed to development.
However, it is a major milestone.
Flamingo Land Ltd will now be faced with drawing up full, comprehensive plans for their resort and water park for consideration by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
'We are delighted by the decision made by the Scottish Government reporter today,' Mr Paterson said.
'As we look beyond today's decision, we remain committed to being a strong and valued contributor to the local economy and we look forward to progressing with our proposals as we now consider detailed planning.'
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