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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Yes to Flamingo Land, no to National Parks: what's the SNP playing at?
Scotland's landscape dares best the poetry of the glens, rivers, mountains and loughs that run from Antrim's coast to the foot of Cork. We Irish pride ourselves on the natural splendour of our island, so it's quite the step for one of us to admit Scotland takes the prize. I've lived here 30 years, however, so that cauterises my self-inflicted wound somewhat. In a way, I feel as Scottish as I do Irish. It's this love that's grown in me towards the beauty of Scotland which makes me shake my head at the behaviour of the SNP government. Right now, I'm mystified that the custodians of this country behave so carelessly towards our landscape. Here's two events which demand that you question whether our government ministers take the same pride in Scotland's natural beauty as the rest of us. Read more on the Loch Lomond Shores / Flamingoland saga: First, there's the go-ahead for Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond despite local opposition and concerns among experts. Then secondly, there's the scrapping of plans for a new Scottish national park. It does seem that beauty, landscape and the environment aren't exactly top of the SNP's priorities. Let's look at Flamingo Land first and the refusal by the Scottish government to intervene to stop the development. The plans will see more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and a monorail built at Balloch. It's quite simply vandalism. There is overwhelming local opposition to this development. A Scottish government reporter has upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator for the plans. SNP ministers rejected calls to step in and block it. The Balloch and Haldane Community Council is demanding the SNP reverse the decision to recommend planning permission. The Green MSP Ross Greer pointedly referred to SNP ministers stepping in to help Donald Trump build his Aberdeenshire golf course, despite the local council throwing out the application. '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,' Greer said. 'They won't do it when it is Scotland's natural environment that needs protecting.' This article features as part of our Unspun newsletter, delivered nightly to your inbox and containing the best political insight and analysis from our writers. Sign up to Unspun for FREE here. He said the government seemed 'willing to stand up for American billionaires … but won't stand up for Scotland's communities'. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority rejected the proposals. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Woodland Trust are also all opposed. Additionally, more than 155,000 citizens have registered their opposition. You can see why the government's position has been described as an 'anti-democratic outrage'. Residents in Balloch say the entire community is against the plan. Opponents are so incensed they have even gathered outside Holyrood to protest. One study showed that the development could lead to a net increase of just 61 full-time jobs. Meanwhile, John Swinney says he'll always 'cherish' Scotland's natural environment. SNP public finance minister Ivan McKee claims it's not 'appropriate' for him to comment as the application technically 'remains live'. Yet he found himself able to say: 'I do not intend to recall this appeal.' Further south in Scotland, plans for the country's third national park have been scrapped. Galloway would have joined the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon axed the idea. Labour's south Scotland MSP Colin Smyth says the area is a 'forgotten corner' of the country and worries it will become a 'dumping ground' for wind turbines. The camp opposed to the new national park hired what's been described as a 'large, slick PR consultancy' to fight their corner with the government. Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, said the decision to drop the plans was a 'tragedy'. Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Park Association, called it 'a big loss'. Actions speak louder than words, right? We all know that. The SNP - the self-styled party of Scotland - can claim until the cows come home that they are committed environmentalists who cherish this country's natural beauty and wish to be good custodians of the land. However, it doesn't look like that. It looks like the government puts big business before the land and before the people who live on the land. Of course we need investment and development; of course we need job and wealth creation; and of course we need to improve our tourism infrastructure. But is this the way to go about it? What other country would take an area like Loch Lomond - known across the world for its beauty, celebrated in song - and allow a waterpark to be built there? A new national park in Galloway would have been a magnet for tourists, whilst still protecting the land. Government is about hard choices, and that inevitably means not everyone will be happy. But there's a pattern here, and it's a pattern which seems to reinforce the suspicion that the party which boasts most about loving this country of ours does far too little to back up its big but empty talk. In the end, you feel compelled to ask yourself: does the SNP really give a damn about Scotland's natural beauty? Neil Mackay is The Herald's Writer-at-Large. He's a multi-award winning investigative journalist, author of both fiction and non-fiction, and a filmmaker and broadcaster. He specialises in intelligence, security, crime, social affairs, cultural commentary, and foreign and domestic politics
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Yes to Flamingoland, no to National Parks: what is the SNP playing at?
Scotland's landscape dares best the poetry of the glens, rivers, mountains and loughs that run from Antrim's coast to the foot of Cork. We Irish pride ourselves on the natural splendour of our island, so it's quite the step for one of us to admit Scotland takes the prize. I've lived here 30 years, however, so that cauterises my self-inflicted wound somewhat. In a way, I feel as Scottish as I do Irish. It's this love that's grown in me towards the beauty of Scotland which makes me shake my head at the behaviour of the SNP government. Right now, I'm mystified that the custodians of this country behave so carelessly towards our landscape. Here's two events which demand that you question whether our government ministers take the same pride in Scotland's natural beauty as the rest of us. Read more on the Loch Lomond Shores / Flamingoland saga: Protesters warn Scottish ministers over Flamingo Land in Loch Lomond The SNP has a park problem. Both Flamingoland and Galloway First, there's the go-ahead for Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond despite local opposition and concerns among experts. Then secondly, there's the scrapping of plans for a new Scottish national park. It does seem that beauty, landscape and the environment aren't exactly top of the SNP's priorities. Let's look at Flamingo Land first and the refusal by the Scottish government to intervene to stop the development. The plans will see more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and a monorail built at Balloch. It's quite simply vandalism. There is overwhelming local opposition to this development. A Scottish government reporter has upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator for the plans. SNP ministers rejected calls to step in and block it. The Balloch and Haldane Community Council is demanding the SNP reverse the decision to recommend planning permission. The Green MSP Ross Greer pointedly referred to SNP ministers stepping in to help Donald Trump build his Aberdeenshire golf course, despite the local council throwing out the application. '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,' Greer said. 'They won't do it when it is Scotland's natural environment that needs protecting.' This article features as part of our Unspun newsletter, delivered nightly to your inbox and containing the best political insight and analysis from our writers. Sign up to Unspun for FREE here. He said the government seemed 'willing to stand up for American billionaires … but won't stand up for Scotland's communities'. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority rejected the proposals. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Woodland Trust are also all opposed. Additionally, more than 155,000 citizens have registered their opposition. You can see why the government's position has been described as an 'anti-democratic outrage'. Residents in Balloch say the entire community is against the plan. Opponents are so incensed they have even gathered outside Holyrood to protest. One study showed that the development could lead to a net increase of just 61 full-time jobs. Meanwhile, John Swinney says he'll always 'cherish' Scotland's natural environment. SNP public finance minister Ivan McKee claims it's not 'appropriate' for him to comment as the application technically 'remains live'. Yet he found himself able to say: 'I do not intend to recall this appeal.' Further south in Scotland, plans for the country's third national park have been scrapped. Galloway would have joined the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon axed the idea. Labour's south Scotland MSP Colin Smyth says the area is a 'forgotten corner' of the country and worries it will become a 'dumping ground' for wind turbines. The camp opposed to the new national park hired what's been described as a 'large, slick PR consultancy' to fight their corner with the government. Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, said the decision to drop the plans was a 'tragedy'. Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Park Association, called it 'a big loss'. Actions speak louder than words, right? We all know that. The SNP - the self-styled party of Scotland - can claim until the cows come home that they are committed environmentalists who cherish this country's natural beauty and wish to be good custodians of the land. However, it doesn't look like that. It looks like the government puts big business before the land and before the people who live on the land. Of course we need investment and development; of course we need job and wealth creation; and of course we need to improve our tourism infrastructure. But is this the way to go about it? What other country would take an area like Loch Lomond - known across the world for its beauty, celebrated in song - and allow a waterpark to be built there? A new national park in Galloway would have been a magnet for tourists, whilst still protecting the land. Government is about hard choices, and that inevitably means not everyone will be happy. But there's a pattern here, and it's a pattern which seems to reinforce the suspicion that the party which boasts most about loving this country of ours does far too little to back up its big but empty talk. In the end, you feel compelled to ask yourself: does the SNP really give a damn about Scotland's natural beauty? Neil Mackay is The Herald's Writer-at-Large. He's a multi-award winning investigative journalist, author of both fiction and non-fiction, and a filmmaker and broadcaster. He specialises in intelligence, security, crime, social affairs, cultural commentary, and foreign and domestic politics
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Emergency public meeting called over Flamingo Land decision
A panel, made up of MSP Ross Greer, MSP Jackie Baillie, MSP Pam Gosal, councillor Jim Bollan with special guest The Wee Glesga Poet, has been arranged to share their insights and thoughts on the development. It comes after the Scottish Government reporter upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator but added 49 conditions to the application. Balloch and Haldane Community Council has urged the Scottish Government to reverse its decision to recommend planning permission while expressing its 'deep disappointment and outrage' to approve the proposals, which they claim contradicts the 'expressed will' of the local community. READ MORE: 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. Councillor Jim Bollan, who is expected to be part of Friday's panel, said: 'The campaign to save Loch Lomond is at a critical stage. 'I would ask the public to contact their MSPs and urge them to vote for Ross Greer's motion S6M-17650, which is being tabled in the Scottish Parliament to call in and refuse the Flamingo Land application.' A spokesperson for Balloch and Haldane Community Council previously said: 'This is not just a bad planning decision — it is a fundamental failure of democracy and policy. 'This decision rides roughshod over the principles of community empowerment, environmental protection, and democratic accountability. 'Our community, through proper statutory channels, objected in strong and clear terms. The will of the people has been ignored.' 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.' The meeting will start at 6.30pm this Friday.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Emergency meeting planned over Flamingo Land decision
A panel, made up of MSP Ross Greer, MSP Jackie Baillie, MSP Pam Gosal, councillor Jim Bollan with special guest The Wee Glesga Poet, has been arranged to share their insights and thoughts on the development. It comes after the Scottish Government reporter upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator but added 49 conditions to the application. Balloch and Haldane Community Council has urged the Scottish Government to reverse its decision to recommend planning permission while expressing its 'deep disappointment and outrage' to approve the proposals, which they claim contradicts the 'expressed will' of the local community. READ MORE: 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. Councillor Jim Bollan, who is expected to be part of Friday's panel, said: 'The campaign to save Loch Lomond is at a critical stage. 'I would ask the public to contact their MSPs and urge them to vote for Ross Greer's motion S6M-17650, which is being tabled in the Scottish Parliament to call in and refuse the Flamingo Land application.' A spokesperson for Balloch and Haldane Community Council previously said: 'This is not just a bad planning decision — it is a fundamental failure of democracy and policy. 'This decision rides roughshod over the principles of community empowerment, environmental protection, and democratic accountability. 'Our community, through proper statutory channels, objected in strong and clear terms. The will of the people has been ignored.' 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.' The meeting will start at 6.30pm this Friday.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Flamingo Land's Loch Lomond proposals set to be approved after appeal
Planning permission was unanimously rejected by the board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority in September last year. The developer is looking to create holiday lodges, two hotels, 372 car parking spaces, shops, a monorail and a waterpark in £40 million proposals. Planning permission will be subject to a legal agreement being reached and a final decision will be made on the matter is targeted for November 27 this year. The decision has been heavily criticised by Green MSP Ross Greer, who was a key figure in the protests against the development, while the Balloch and Haldane Community Council insist they will continue to fight the proposals too. The plans had been rejected by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs board last year (Image: Colin Mearns) Mr Greer said: 'This is 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. It was the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and will cause irreversible damage to the world-famous local environment at Loch Lomond. '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. 'This greedy developer would not take no for an answer and I am shocked that Government officials have put Flamingo Land's interests above the need to protect Loch Lomond. 'We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.' A Balloch and Haldane Community Council spokesperson said: 'This is not just a bad planning decision - it is a fundamental failure of democracy and policy. This decision rides roughshod over the principles of community empowerment, environmental protection, and democratic accountability. 'Our community, through proper statutory channels, objected in strong and clear terms. The will of the people has been ignored. 'We are not backing down. The gloves are off. This is our community, our land, and our future - and we will fight for it.' Read More Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: 'This is a real milestone moment for the Lomond Banks vision, and has been a long time in the making. 'Our proposals have been informed by more than two years of positive engagement with the local community and key 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. 'We are delighted by the decision made by the Scottish Government reporter today. 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.'
