Latest news with #FlamingoLand
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Glasgow Film Theatre decides to not endorse Israel boycott movement
Glasgow Film announced on Thursday that it wouldn't fully endorse either the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement or the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The cinema said this was in order to retain 'independent decision making' and uphold its 'commitment to Cinema For All'. READ MORE: John Swinney urged to intervene and scrap Flamingo Land plans at fiery FMQs It comes after a boycott by the GFT's front-of-house and cleaning teams on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement led to Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the (BDS) movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach. But Glasgow Film has decided to not formally endorse the movement. 'The Board of Trustees at Glasgow Film recognise the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza and are appalled by the ongoing loss of Palestinian lives,' a statement read. 'We understand the depth and diversity of feeling within our staff, audiences, and wider communities, and we acknowledge the calls from artists and activists for cultural and consumer boycotts in solidarity with Palestinians. 'We also recognise the rising levels of antisemitism, Islamophobia and polarisation in our communities and condemn any kind of racism or discrimination.' (Image: PA) The statement added: 'As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects which are, for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film. To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.' They announced a review and refresh 'in consultation with staff' on their ethical policies and 'assess any connections to human rights abuses' and claimed a review of products in the cinema's bar has already started. The board also said it would continue to platform global filmmakers including Palestinian artists. 'Following a period of careful reflection, legal advice, and consultation with staff and community stakeholders, we consider the above approach to be in line with our legal duties as charity trustees and in the best interests of the charity, as opposed to formal and wholesale endorsement of BDS or PACBI,' the statement went on.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Protestors gather at Edinburgh's Scottish Parliament over 'shameful' Flamingo Land plan
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Protestors gathered at Edinburgh's Holyrood to demand that the Scottish Government overturns the decision to allow a "mega resort" to be built on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. On Thursday, May 29, MSP Ross Greer said it was "shameful" that ministers have so far refused to overturn the decision made by officials that gave the green light to Flamingo Land to construct the £40m tourist destination near Balloch. The long-running planning application was initially rejected by the Loch Lomond National Park authority in September last year after thousands of public objections were received. But that decision was overturned by the Scottish Government Reporter, subject to a legal agreement between Flamingo Land and park bosses, reports The Daily Record. Flanked by protesters outside the Scottish Parliament, the Green MSP said: "There are simply no reasons to accept this application. It would be a scar on the natural landscape of Loch Lomond, it would be devastating for the local community, and for 10 years we have successfully made that case. "For 10 years, we have built our movement to protect Loch Lomond. At every step of the way we were succesful because the argument and the evidence were on our side. "And now, at the very end of this process, we have a Government official overturning local democracy, overturning a decision made on an incredible weight of evidence against the application. "We now have ministers of a Scottish Government that claims to stand up for Scotland deciding that, in this case, they simply will not do so, they will allow this destructive mega resort to go ahead. "We say, absolutely not. We can still save Loch Lomond, Government ministers still have the opportunity to recall and reject that decision." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox He added: "Appallingly, when I asked the Scottish Government planning minister if they would do that, they emphatically said no. Absolutely shameful. Scottish Government ministers not willing to stand up for Scotland's world famous natural environment." Greer, who has led protests against the development, called on SNP ministers to intervene on the matter - following a precedent established in 2008 when Trump was permitted to build a golf course in Aberdeenshire despite being initially refused permission by the local council. Flamingo Land have attempted to gain planning permission for their resort at Balloch for the past decade, with their first application failing in 2019. Their latest bid was unanimously rejected by the board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park at a public hearing in September of last year. This followed a campaign led by Ross Greer which collected over 155,000 individual objections to the plans, as well as objections from the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the local community council and the Park's own expert planning officers. Flamingo Land lodged an appeal against this decision shortly before Christmas, seeking to have the rejection overturned by the Scottish Government and secure consent for their plans, which include two hotels, a waterpark, over 370 car parking spaces, a hundred woodland lodges, monorail, and more. Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, previously described the planning victory a "real milestone moment for the Lomond Banks vision, and has been a long time in the making." He added: "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."
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
John Swinney urged to intervene and scrap Flamingo Land plans
During a fiery First Minister's Questions (FMQs), in which ex-Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was expelled, the SNP leader was questioned over the controversial Flamingo Land plans. In September 2024, Flamingo Land Ltd had its 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. But after the Scottish Government reporter's decision earlier this month, 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. READ MORE: Labour officials 'fighting like rats in a sack' over Keir Starmer succession, MP says Ivan McKee, minister for public finance, has since said the Scottish Government has 'no intention' of stepping in. The Scottish Greens have long opposed the plans, with co-leader Patrick Harvie condemning the lack of action from ministers. 'Outside Parliament today, people gathered to express their anger at the Scottish Government's intention to approve a resort development by Flamingo Land on the shores of Loch Lomond,' Harvie (below) said. 'It's been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland, by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, by over 155,000 people, and it was rejected unanimously by the National Park.' He added: 'It's the most unpopular development in the history of the Scottish planning system. 'Now, I know the First Minister is about to tell us that he can't comment on a specific appeal. But his minister has already made a political decision. It took Ivan McKee just 2 working days to announce his refusal to act in the public interest and recall the appeal, so he and the First Minister have to be accountable for that now. 'There is still a chance we can save Loch Lomond. This decision isn't set in stone, so will the First Minister listen to all those who have been objecting for years and put the natural environment ahead of corporate profit and recall this decision? 'As Mr Harvie has indicated, as the appeal remains live, members have to understand that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the proposal. 'I am aware that the reporter has issued a notice of intention to allow the appeal and to grant planning permission in principle, subject to 49 planning conditions and the reaching of a legal agreement, including the Lomond Promise, with a commitment to community benefits and fair work. 'The reporter is required to make his decision on the planning merits of the case and to take full account of all submissions made by the parties involved in this case, including representations from members of the local community.' The First Minister was also scrutinised by Anas Sarwar (below) over NHS waiting lists. (Image: PA) The Scottish Labour leader was speaking days after figures showed the number of people waiting two years for outpatient treatment was at the highest level on record. Statistics released on Tuesday showed 5262 people were waiting for more than two years for a procedure at the end of March this year. They also showed 63,406 people were waiting more than 12 months. Responding to Sarwar when pressed on the issue, John Swinney said: 'I recognise the significant impact of long waits on individual patients, and I apologise to everybody who's affected by those long waits. 'It's why the tackling of long waits is central to the Government's plans to deliver the improvements in the National Health Service that are required.' But he also took aim at the UK Government's new approach to immigration. 'Anyone looking at the details of what's been set out by the UK Government and turning off the ability of us being able to attract international workers will realise that that's a very damaging blow to our health service,' he told MSPs. 'Because our health service, and I saw data from Scottish Care, for example, about social care, is heavily dependent on international workers. And if the UK Government decides to turn off the ability of the Scottish Health Service to attract international workers, it will make our challenge to address the waiting time ever more difficult as a consequence.'
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Protesters warn Scottish Government over Flamingo Land
Balloch residents joined Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer to accuse the Scottish Government of prioritising 'big business' instead of the country's natural environment. 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 said: '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. '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.' Read more: Council gives green light to plans for credit union Nursery children 'heartbroken' after old subway carriage vandalised again 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. Protesters outside the Scottish Parliament sing 'Loch Lomond' as they voice their objection to the planned Flamingo Land holiday park development VIDEO: Newsquest — The Herald (@heraldscotland) May 29, 2025 '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.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Flamingo Land: Protesters say 'SNP Government doesn't have the balls' to reject Loch Lomond mega-resort
Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Campaigners who want to block plans to build a Flamingo Land resort at Loch Lomond say it is 'absolutely astonishing' the Scottish Government has given the development its approval. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday after a Government reporter overturned a decision to deny proposals to build the theme park at Loch Lomond. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Green MSP Ross Greer led the protest, saying the 'mega-resort' would be 'destructive' to the national park. Flamingo Land protestors outside the Scottish Parliament with Ross Greer MSP. | Andrew Milligan/Press Association He said the Government did have the powers to overturn this decision, pointing to a previous planning application made by US President Donald Trump to build a golf course on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land wants to build a £40 million resort called Lomond Banks, which will include a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants. The proposals were initially rejected back in September by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority on environmental and conservation grounds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Flamingo Land then appealed to the Scottish Government reporter, who has since granted permission. Among the protesters were sisters Kit and Janet Lawson, who learned to swim in Loch Lomond as children. Kit Lawson said: 'I've known the area all my life, Loch Lomond is just part of my heritage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sisters Kit and Janet Lawson with dog Jess. | Rachel Amery 'I am 73 years old and that is a long time for somebody to now come along and totally destroy it. The traffic is awful, it will do nothing for local jobs or the local community except damage it. 'Everything will be done in-house and that will take money away from local hotels, cafes and shops. It is really upsetting that our Government just doesn't seem to have the balls to fight and they've learned no lessons from Trump.' She added: 'Recall - you can do it, and everybody will be happy. I find it absolutely astonishing they aren't listening.' Janet Lawson added: 'There are enough problems on the A83 and A82 with traffic and this will only make it worse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Janet Lawson | Andrew Milligan/Press Association 'Tourists want to come to the bonny banks - is the first thing you want to see a monorail and theme park rides? 'People go to Loch Lomond to walk, use the water and go climbing, not to go on park rides. That is fine in the middle of Yorkshire where there is not a lot to do, but everyone has heard of Loch Lomond. 'They are not listening and the public support to stop this is massive.'
