Latest news with #Trossachs
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
New Flamingo Land theme park planned for UK beauty spot - but locals aren't happy
Plans to build a new theme park resort in Scotland have taken another hit, following years of opposition from politicians, environmental groups and local communities. An emergency public meeting has been set up to discuss the controversial development of Flamingo Land on the banks of Loch Lomond. The £40 million proposal includes hotels, over 100 holiday lodges, a waterpark, restaurants, and even a monorail. It's the latest version of plans that were first put forward back in 2018 - but scrapped a year later after public backlash. Flamingo Land later came back with an updated proposal in 2020, promising a resort that would be a 'major step away' from its existing Yorkshire theme park and zoo. But despite those changes, the project has continued to face resistance from both locals, MPs and conservation groups. The development site is in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, an area known for its stunning scenery, ancient oak woodlands and rare wildlife, such as red deer. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government gave the project the green light, overturning a decision by the national park authority which had rejected the plans on environmental grounds. The decision sparked outrage, especially from Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who called the approval an 'anti-democratic outrage' and said the plans would cause 'irreversible damage.' He also pointed out that the project had been opposed by several key organisations, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, and over 155,000 people who signed the Save Loch Lomond campaign. As reported by the Sun, he added: 'We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.' Concerns from the park authority have also been raised about the 'unacceptable' risk of flooding from the nearby River Leven. A recent report added 49 conditions to the approval, and while it said the site could operate safely, many have yet to be convinced. Local groups such as Balloch and Haldane Community council say they're 'deeply disappointed' in the government's decision and claim it goes against what the community wants. Supporters of the plan argue it could bring jobs and boost tourism in the area, but with public pressure continues to grow, as a petition opposing the project amasses a whopping 174,000 signatures. A public meeting has now been set for 30 May to discuss the future of the park. Meanwhile, Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest's edge in Hampshire, will open a brand new £12million themed world, Valgard - Realm of the Vikings, in 2026. The park, already a hit with younger children thanks to Peppa Pig World, recently cut the ribbon on its latest attraction, Ghostly Manor - a £3.5 million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride. The developments will see it likely rival some of the nation's biggest theme parks - including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park - for visitors next summer. Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons' biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Loch Lomond Flamingo Land resort set for approval after appeal
The Scottish government is set to give permission for a controversial holiday park development at Loch Lomond, overturning the decision of the national park authority. Theme park operator Flamingo Land wants to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants. The proposal sparked protests and was initially rejected in September by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park authority, who said it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation policies. But that was appealed to the Scottish government reporter, who has now said they intend to grant permission - subject to a legal agreement between Flamingo Land and the park. Development director for Lomond Banks Jim Paterson said it was a "real milestone moment" which had been "a long time in the making".But Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who was a long-standing critic of the plan, said 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."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." Economy boost In an 80-page notice of intention, the planning reporter said there had been a "very significant" number of objections to the proposal, with many claiming the site was unsuitable. But he said it did not conflict with the local development plan for the area, or the rules set out in the government's national planning framework. He said the site could operate safely despite being within a flood risk area, and also said there could be "locally significant" benefits in terms of jobs and a boost to the the reporter said full permission would only be granted if an agreement could be reached between the developer and the park on the "Lomond Promise".This is a pledge by Flamingo Land to promote local businesses, provide jobs for local people and suppliers, and develop plans to protect the environment and prevent anti-social behaviour. There are 26 weeks for this agreement to be reached - and if it is not, the reporter will reconsider whether to approve or reject the application. Flamingo Land first submitted plans for the site in 2018, but withdrew them the following year after a wave of negative submitted updated plans in 2020, insisting the proposal would be a "major step away" from its other resorts, including a theme park and zoo in the Loch Lomond park authority board ruled that the updated scheme still conflicted with both regional and national environmental Pearce, "director of place" for the park authority, previously said the plans created "unacceptable risk" of flooding of the River than 174,000 people signing a petition against the at a public meeting last year, the Balloch and Haldane Community Council said it would "go against the very will of the people who live in the area". 'Sustainable investment' Mr Paterson, from Lomond Banks, said he was "delighted" with the decision from the Scottish government reporter."Our proposals have been informed by more than two years of positive engagement with the local community and key stakeholders," he said."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."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."
BBC News
11-05-2025
- BBC News
Body found after search for missing swimmer in loch
The body of a 42-year-old man has been recovered at Loch Ard in the received a report about 21:00 on Saturday that that a man who was swimming in the loch had gone missing. Extensive searches were carried out by the dive and marine unit along with the Mountain Rescue Team and air support man's body was recovered early on Sunday afternoon. Police Scotland said the his next of kin have been made are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be sent to the procurator Ard is in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park near Aberfoyle and is a popular destination for swimmers, kayakers and water skiers.
Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Times
Disposable barbecue starts deadly wildfire in the Trossachs
A wildlife charity has warned of the dangers of accidental wildfires after a disposable barbecue caused a fire the size of two rugby pitches in the Trossachs, killing hundreds of nesting birds. Woodland Trust Scotland said the fire killed nesting birds and other wildlife in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. When it was put out firefighters found a disposable barbecue with a charred burger on top. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. A barbecue and a charred burger were found after the fire was extinguished HAMISH THOMSON/PA George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated,
