Loch Lomond plans 'could spark land grab', say campaigners

Members of Save Loch Lomond, who are protesting against the “Lomond Banks” development plans, say it could just be the first in a slew of new developments on sites of natural beauty.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Alannah Maurer said a “laundry list” of developers would be queuing up to build on Scotland’s greenspace should Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land be approved.

She said: “This doesn’t just cover Loch Lomond. Look what’s happened with the Trump golf course in Aberdeenshire. Look what’s happening with the group in Kinlochleven fighting against a zip wire.

“I know that [Flamingo Land sales director] Andy Miller doesn’t like this, but this is a major thing for Scotland. It’s about who owns this country and how accessible that land is to everyday Scots.

“We’re facing pocketed land grabs across Scotland, and that’s all there is to it.

“It’s about the loss of our green spaces."

Working under the name Lomond Banks, Flamingo Land has teamed with Scottish Enterprise - the commercial wing of the Scottish Government - to apply for the permissions.

The plans include a 60-bedroom apartment-hotel, more than 120 self catering lodges, a brewery and a monorail between the site and Station Square in Balloch.

A decision is due to be made in the coming months by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, which has power over the site.

At their last meeting, West Dunbartonshire councillors voted against the recommendation of officers to formally object to the plans, with no councillor speaking up in support.

Argyll and Bute Council, which is not a statutory consultee, has not given a view on the application.