Protesters warn Scottish Government over Flamingo Land

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

An emergency meeting is being held in the community on Friday after the Scottish Government reporter upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator.
The official, however, added 49 conditions to the application.
The Balloch and Haldane Community Council is demanding the Scottish Government reverses its decision to recommend planning permission.
Local MSP Ross Greer said ministers stepped in to help Donald Trump build an Aberdeenshire golf course, which opened in 2012.
He told The Herald: 'Ministers have the power to reject and recall this decision but they won't do it despite having done so previously for developers like Donald Trump. They wont do it when it is Scotland's national environment that needs protecting.'
'Government ministers got directly involved to help Donald Trump build a golf course in Aberdeenshire, but they're refusing to do so here when it's about protecting Scotland's environment.
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'It looks like we have a government that is willing to stand up for American billionaires and stand up for big business but won't stand up Scotland's communities or our world famous natural environment.'
Scottish ministers granted planning permission to Mr Trump, despite the local council throwing out the application.
Ministers argued that the economic benefit would outweigh the environmental harm.
Mr Greer added: 'We want government ministers to step in and reject Flamingo Land's application. They are hiding behind a government official.
'The National Park's board unanimously rejected this plan because the evidence against them was overwhelming. They are so destructive.'
He added that Sepa, the Scottish Government's environment watchdog, also rejected the plans over flooding risks.
'Despite that, a government official has overturned that and Scottish Government ministers are allowing them to do so," he added.
Balloch residents Rae and Alison told The Herald the community is prepared to fight the decision "every step of the way".
Rae said: 'Everybody in Balloch is against this. We are all shocked that it was passed again, we didn't even know that it was coming back up to parliament.
'I don't know one person in Balloch, or Dumbarton, or in surrounding areas, that wants this. It is a unanimous no.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson also said at the time: 'An independent reporter has issued a decision intimating that he is minded to grant planning permission in principle for the proposal subject to 49 planning conditions subject to a legal agreement being reached between the national park authority and developer to secure the employment and environment issues that are set out in the Lomond Promise.
'As the appeal remains live, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the merits of the proposed development.'
As part of the conditions, the applicant will now have to reach an agreement with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority – which rejected the proposals last year – before the application can progress.
Under the £43.5 million proposals, Lomond Banks would see two hotels, more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and monorail built on the site at Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.
The development has been proposed for years, with Lomond Banks pulling out in 2019 before returning with a new application, which has proven controversial with the local community.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie accused First Minister John Swinney of backing "greedy developers" instead of the environment.
Mr Swinney, speaking at First Minister's Questions, said it would "not be appropriate" to comment on the ongoing issue.
However, he said he was "absolutely committed" to protecting the natural environment, but added the Scottish Government reporter was "entitled" to come to his decision based on evidence.