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 more than 100 lodges, two hotels, a water park, monorail and parking spaces for more than 300 cars at the site, on the southern shores of the loch at Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.

Last week, the Scottish Government took the decision to call in the application, which had been given the green light by a Government reporter despite heavy backlash from campaigners.

The reporter elected to approve the application, subject to 49 conditions, despite the unanimous rejection of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park authority and objections from the Woodland Trust, the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa).

Minister Ivan McKee had previously ruled out an intervention on the issue but, last week, said the decision was of “national significance”.

The decision came 24 hours before a motion tabled by Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie was due for a vote, with the motion passing unanimously.

On Monday, Lomond Banks development director Jim Paterson said the firm was “extremely disappointed” MSPs had voted last week to force the application to be called.

“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.”

The director went on to urge ministers to back the 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.

“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”.

Contrary to the 150,000 people who signed a petition to halt the plans, and the 50,000 who wrote to the Scottish Government to intervene, 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.

According to a study commissioned by Lomond Banks, 200 jobs would be created in the area, 80 full-time and 120 part-time or seasonal, though the study suggested a net of just 61 jobs would result from the £43.5 million development.

Mr Paterson also took issue with the description of Flamingo Land as a “Yorkshire company”.

“Flamingo Land is a Scottish-registered business, incorporated in 1973, and all taxable profits are retained within Scotland,” he said.

The company is registered at an address in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, but its key site is in Yorkshire, with all three of the firm’s active directors on Companies House being based south of the border.

Mr Greer accused the developer of being “desperate”, adding that the company “have treated the people of Balloch with complete contempt” and claiming multiple surveys have shown local opposition to the plans.

“Flamingo Land would rather throw accusations around than address the many, many ways in which their mega-resort would be a disaster for the National Park,” he said.

“The evidence all points one way – the Scottish Government must reject this application and save Loch Lomond.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers have 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.

“This means that the appeal should be determined at a national level.”