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The Herald Scotland
2 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
2 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
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."
Glasgow Times
3 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
3 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.'
