Latest news with #SaveLochLomond
The Herald Scotland
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
SNP's handling of Flamingo Land appeal 'risks being unlawful'
Since then, Green MSP Mr Greer, who is involved in the Save Loch Lomond campaign, had his legal advisor send a detailed letter of concern to the Government. Concerns raised include the reappointment of the same official who previously recommended that Flamingo Land's mega-resort be given permission to go ahead. This official will now lead on the recall case and make a new recommendation to Ministers, which Greer's legal advisor Ian Cowan warned risks making the process 'tainted by bias'. READ MORE: Yes to Flamingo Land, no to National Parks: what's the SNP playing at? What locals in Balloch think of Flamingo Land The Green MSP for the West of Scotland said: 'The public and the experts have said again and again that [[Flamingo Land]]'s destructive application must be rejected. The National Park did the right thing last year when they unanimously said no to this daft mega-resort. And when SNP Ministers were about to overturn that decision and let it go ahead, we forced them into a u-turn. 'But since then the Scottish Government has made some deeply questionable decisions. They refuse to hold any public hearing and have asked the same official who tried to approve the plans to 'mark his own homework' by making recommendation for a fresh decision." Another concern raised in the letter is the apparent contradiction in the dates of specific documents. The document formally reappointing the previous official to prepare a new report for Ministers was published on July 4th, having apparently been signed off by a senior planning official on June 24th. However, the document's properties show that it was created on July 4th, shorty after the publication of a separate document from this official which laid out the new process. The appointment document also did not carry the digital signature of the relevant senior official. Mr Greer added: 'Now they're [the Scottish Government] asking Flamingo Land to draft their own planning conditions on their own terms, against the wishes of the National Park. Is it any wonder that local people get the feeling that the cards are being stacked against them? 'I hope there is a simple explanation for this inconsistency in the date of the official's appointment, because it is hugely concerning. There needs to be full transparency here if the public are to have any confidence in this process. As it stands, the timeline just doesn't add up and that's a massive cause for concern.' The Scottish Government said the development raised issues of "national significance" and so they decided to recall the appeal. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Ministers decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. As this is a live planning appeal it would not be appropriate to comment further.'
The National
06-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Review into Flamingo Land plans to be led by official who approved it
The Scottish Government recalled plans to build the resort on the banks of Loch Lomond last month, after it was announced the developers had been granted their appeal after it was rejected by the local authority. Scottish Government reporter David Buylla, who gave the £43.5 million project in Balloch planning permission, is now set to advise SNP ministers who have called in the decision for reappraisal, the Sunday Mail reports. The recall, undertaken by Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee, means that ministers will now consider the proposals directly. READ MORE: Campaign against Flamingo Land reaches milestone with 50,000 letters sent to minister If it goes ahead, the resort would see a waterpark, a monorail, hotels, restaurants, a brewery and 104 woodland chalets built. The plans have been met with criticism from local campaigners and politicians, which have been branded as "hysteria" by developers Lomond Banks. According to the Sunday Mail, Buylla is now tasked with writing a new report, including recommendations to inform McKee's decision. Scottish Government reporters are civil servants within the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), who decide on planning appeals. Buylla is one of five principal reporters at the DPEA, while there are also three assistant chief reporters and one chief reporter. Alannah Maurer, campaigner with the Save Loch Lomond campaign, told the Sunday Mail: 'You'd assume someone else would have been assigned. You have to consider professional integrity because how does he say anything other than what he previously said? READ MORE: All the reasons why approving Flamingo Land in Scotland is wrong 'It's absolutely clear there is no democracy, particularly where planning is concerned. The developer can appeal but the public has no right of appeal. 'Our best hope is that ministers will see sense, pay attention to the public – but it's clear public opinion counts for nothing.' Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who has been involved with the campaign against Flamingo Land's plans, said ministers "cannot hide behind officials" when making their decision. Ross Greer MSP 'For a start, they must do what did not happen at the appeal stage; speak to the community, to myself and others like the Woodland Trust who submitted substantial evidence against Flamingo Land's destructive plans," he told the paper. 'They absolutely must speak to the National Park's own planning experts, whose report advising their board to reject the application was clearly badly misunderstood by Government officials. READ MORE: Cabinet minister refuses to confirm if two-child cap will be scrapped 'The Planning Minister should call a public hearing and come to his own decision based on the evidence. Rehashing the same flawed report from officials and waiting until after next year's election to sign it off would be totally unacceptable." A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Ministers decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 'As this is a live planning appeal it would not be appropriate to comment further.'
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scots Gov official who approved Flamingo Land will lead the review into decision
Angry activists have blasted the process "a sham". A review of the Scottish Government's widely criticised move to approve Flamingo Land's Loch Lomond resort will be led by the same official who gave it the green light. The Sunday Mail has learned Scottish Government Reporter David Buylla – who gave the controversial £43.5million project in Balloch planning permission – will now advise SNP ministers who have been forced to call in the decision for reappraisal. Furious activists say it showed the process was a 'sham'. The government was forced to U-turn on the initial backing for the lochside resort by Buylla – a top civil servant – amid local opposition and the threat of a parliamentary defeat. Community councillor Lynne Somerville said: 'It beggars belief they're allowing the same man that caused this outrage in the first place to write this new report. There's a complete conflict of interest and I think that really needs to be recognised by the Scottish Government.' Board members of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are also opposed to the development. Dubbed ' Lomond Banks', the resort by Yorkshire theme park operator Flamingo Land would see a waterpark, a monorail, hotels, restaurants, a brewery and 104 woodland chalets built. After 50,000 people signed a petition urging ministers to reconsider the decision, Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee 'called in' the appeal last month, meaning ministers will consider it directly. But we can reveal the same Reporter, Buylla, is tasked with writing a new report including recommendations to inform McKee's decision. Somerville said: 'Why does Ivan McKee or anyone else think it's appropriate the same man is being asked to produce the report that will influence, guide and steer the outcome? "It's like they are trying to hide behind him and he is being used as the proverbial scapegoat. It does not paint the Scottish Government in a good light.' Scottish Government Reporters are civil servants within the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) who decide on planning appeals. Buylla is one of five principal reporters at the DPEA, which also has a chief reporter and three assistant chief reporters. Alannah Maurer, campaigner with the Save Loch Lomond campaign, said: 'You'd assume someone else would have been assigned. You have to consider professional integrity because how does he say anything other than what he previously said? 'It's absolutely clear there is no democracy, particularly where planning is concerned. The developer can appeal but the public has no right of appeal. 'Our best hope is that ministers will see sense, pay attention to the public – but it's clear public opinion counts for nothing.' Buylla's continued involvement in the appeal was first revealed by environmental campaigner and blogger Nick Kempe, who branded Scotland's planning system a 'farce'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He wrote last week: "It appears the DPEA is still very much in charge. 'Without any instructions/steer from Mr McKee about what he wishes Mr Buylla to reconsider, it is difficult to see why he would change anything substantial in his report.' Tory West Scotland MSP Pam Gosal said: 'Given the controversy surrounding the SNP's handling of this issue, serious questions must be answered about the appropriateness of this latest appointment. 'Instead of continually forcing solutions and railroading their plans through parliament, SNP ministers should instead heed the widespread concerns of locals who firmly oppose the Flamingo Land proposals at Loch Lomond.' Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer commented: 'Ministers cannot hide behind officials when the gateway to Loch Lomond is at stake. They need to take control of this process themselves. 'For a start, they must do what did not happen at the appeal stage; speak to the community, to myself and others like the Woodland Trust who submitted substantial evidence against Flamingo Land's destructive plans. 'They absolutely must speak to the National Park's own planning experts, whose report advising their board to reject the application was clearly badly misunderstood by Government officials.'The Planning Minister should call a public hearing and come to his own decision based on the evidence. Rehashing the same flawed report from officials and waiting until after next year's election to sign it off would be totally unacceptable." Last month, developers Lomond Banks criticised the decision to recall the decision to approve and hit out at "hysteria" over the proposals which they say will bring much-needed jobs and investment to the area. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Ministers decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 'As this is a live planning appeal it would not be appropriate to comment further.'
STV News
16-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
Scottish Government urged to ignore ‘hysteria' around Loch Lomond proposals
The developer behind controversial plans to build on the banks of Loch Lomond has urged the Scottish Government to ignore the 'hysteria' from opponents. Lomond Banks – owned by theme park operator Flamingo Land – has proposed to build a multi-million-pound mega-park. It includes plans for a water park, two hotels, 104 wooden lodges, spa, cafes, shops, restaurants, brewery and more in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire. In May, the Scottish Government Reporter approved the plans – allowing them to go on to the next stage of planning and development – despite opposition from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority itself and more than 150,000 people who joined the Save Loch Lomond campaign. The Scottish Government initially said it had 'no intention' of stepping in to re-evaluate that approval, but Scottish ministers U-turned last week, once again putting the Flamingo Land plans in doubt. On Monday, speaking for the first time since that decision, Lomond Banks development director Jim Paterson said the firm was 'extremely disappointed'. 'We have engaged with the planning process in good faith, following every regulation and expectation set by the National Park and Scotland's new national planning framework,' he said. 'The land in question has been allocated for sustainable tourism development for decades, a fact acknowledged by the DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) reporter. 'To have this long-established planning context disregarded at the 11th hour raises serious questions not only about the integrity and consistency of the Scottish planning system, but also about Scotland as an investment destination.' 'That's why Mr Paterson called on ministers to back the Flamingo Land proposals. 'We now call on all ministers, especially the planning minister, to uphold the integrity of the planning system,' he said. 'This process must remain impartial and evidence-led, not subjected to political opportunism or pressure campaigns built on misinformation. The rules must apply fairly and equally to all, or public trust in the system will be irreparably damaged.' Mr Paterson added: 'We urge the Scottish Government to see through the hysteria and consider not just the facts of this proposal, but the precedent it sets for all future investment in Scotland.' Mr Paterson accused opponents of the development – spearheaded by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer – of a 'sensationalist and misleading campaign' full of 'mistruths and inaccuracies'. More than 150,000 people signed a petition to halt the plans, and 50,000 wrote to the Scottish Government to intervene, but Mr Paterson claimed the project has 'strong local support'. 'Anyone genuinely interested in the views of the Scottish people need only look at the widespread positive engagement on social media and elsewhere, reflecting a clear desire for sustainable, year-round economic activity and job creation,' he said. Public finance minister Ivan McKee said last week the government would recall the plans for the Flamingo Land resort, saying it raises issues of national significance due to its impact on the national park area. Over 150,000 people objected to the development through a petition launched by the Scottish Greens. The final outcome will be now be decided by Scottish ministers. 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
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New Flamingo Land theme park planned for top UK tourist beauty spot – and people aren't happy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW theme park wanting to open in the UK has been delivered another blow. An emergency meeting has been set up to discuss the development of Flamingo Land in Scotland which is set to gain planning permission after 49 conditions were added to the new application. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Planning for the attraction was originally submitted back in 2018 Credit: Lomond Banks Back in 2018, plans for a new attraction were submitted by Flamingo Land for the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. However, the following year they were withdrawn due to a lack of support - which seems to have also continued ever since. In 2020, updated plans were resubmitted, insisting that the new attraction would be a "major step away" from its other resort - which includes a theme park and zoo in Yorkshire, reports the BBC. The theme park operator wants to build a £40million resort on Lomond Banks that would include a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants. Despite this, the Loch Lomond park authority board ruled that even the updated plans still conflicted with both regional and national environmental polices. The lake in southern Scotland, which is part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, is known for boasting red deer and oak woodlands. Among the risks listed, Stuart Pearce from the park authority noted how the plans would create an "unacceptable risk" of flooding of the River Leven. Following the release of the updated plans, more than 174,000 people signed a petition against the project. The current Flamingo Land resort on north Yorkshire opened back in 1959 - originally as a zoo. The attraction got its name from the popular pink bird, which were among the first animals on the site in Yorkshire. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park Now a public meeting has been set for May 30 to discuss the proposals for the banks of Loch Lomond. The meeting follows news that the Scottish government approved permission for the development - overturning the decision of the national park authority. Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who does not support the plan, said that the development would cause "irreversible damage" and the decision was an "anti-democratic outrage". He added: "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." He labelled the developer as "greedy" and that it would not take "no for an answer". "We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond," he concluded. 3 Loch Lomond is a lake in southern Scotland - part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Credit: Alamy The Balloch and Haldane Community Council also noted how they were "deeply disappointed" in the Scottish government's decision which it said "contradicts the expressed will of the community". In an 80-page document on the site, an evaluation noted how there has been a lot of opposition to the plans. However, it also said that the site could operate safely despite the risk of flooding and added that there could be benefits to the local community in terms of jobs and a boost to the economy. If the project did go ahead it would likely have two hotels, more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and a monorail built. A bird-inspired £5million adventure play park is also planned for a UK attraction, and is 'to be a place of wonder for families'. Plus, a major UK theme park is to get a huge new land by 2027 with rollercoasters, kids rides and indoor attractions.
