Latest news with #LomondPromise
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.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Protesters warn Scottish Government over Flamingo Land
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. Read more: Emergency public meeting called over Flamingo Land decision MP demands Swinney steps in and recalls Flamingo Land recommendation | The Herald '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.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- 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
5 days ago
- 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.
STV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Emergency meeting to discuss controversial Flamingo Land resort decision
An emergency meeting has been set up to try and overturn the controversial decision to grant planning permission for a local Flamingo Land resort. The Balloch and Haldane community council has organised a public gathering this Friday, May 30 at Kessogs Church Hall to discuss the proposals for the banks of Loch Lomond. 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. The Balloch and Haldane community council has been urging the Scottish Government to reverse its decision to grant planning permission, while expressing its 'deep disappointment and outrage' at approving the proposals, which they claim contradict the 'expressed will' of the local community. 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 £43.5m 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 the 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. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
