Conservation trust calls on Government to reject Flamingo Land plans
The head of Woodland Trust Scotland (WTS) has written to the Scottish Government to express the organisation's 'profound disappointment' after the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) reporter recommended allowing the Yorkshire-based theme park operator's appeal to the rejected planning proposal.
In September 2024, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle for the multi-million-pound water park rejected by all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority.
Following the Scottish Government Reporter's decision last week, 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.
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However, WTS's director, Alastair Seaman, has called on the Scottish Government to meet with the trust to discuss rejecting the Flamingo Land proposals 'once and for all' in a letter to the Public Finance Minister, Ivan McKee.
Seaman wrote: 'We consider this development would have an entirely unacceptable impact on precious ancient woodland, through both direct loss and adverse impact on its ecological condition.
'The boat house element of the proposals would result in permanent and irreversible loss of woodland that cannot be compensated for through new planting - a point we made strongly at the public hearing. Ancient woodland is irreplaceable.
'Significant new development like this will expose the woodlands and their wildlife to indirect impacts that will both immediately, and gradually, degrade the ecosystem. These woods are sensitive sites that are vulnerable to change and the wildlife species that rely on them are often slow to adapt to change.'
(Image: Flamingo Land)
Seaman continued, saying he found it 'quite incredible' that the Scottish Government Reporter would recommend allowing the loss of ancient woodland in a National Park.
He added that the development would be 'completely at odds' with the Scottish Government's plans to protect the country's National Parks biodiversity along with its ancient woodland and peat bogs.
In one example the WTS boss said the Scottish Government Reporter showed 'worrying failure to grasp' the difference between the benefits ancient woodlands provide to biodiversity in comparison to new woodland or what he called 'compensatory planting'.
Seaman's letter continued: 'Our view is that the reporter's conclusions are deeply flawed.'
He added: 'There is a great deal more we can say about why the 'Flamingo Land' appeal should be rejected once and for all - in line with the carefully considered conclusion of the LLTNPA board, SEPA, the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland, cross Party MSPs, and 155,000 members of the public, who signed a petition led by an elected Parliamentarian representing the area.
'We would be delighted to meet with you and your officials in the coming weeks to expand on our reasoning - we would be grateful to hear from your officials on this point.'
Developers behind the £40 million proposal said it could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called Lomond Banks.
Planning permission in principle will be subject to a legal agreement being reached.
The final decision has therefore been deferred for the period detailed in the Notice of Intention to allow the conclusion of that agreement.
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