POLITICIANS and environmental campaigners say they won’t give up their fight against development proposals for the south end of Loch Lomond.
Opponents reacted with anger and disappointment to news that a new agreement has been reached for a £30 million tourism development in Balloch.
Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government’s economic development agency, announced last week that it had reached a deal which is expected to see Flamingo Land submit new plans in 2021 for a development on the West Riverside and Woodbank House site.
The company’s previous planning application for a development it called Lomond Banks was withdrawn in September 2019 – just days before it was due to be considered by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority’s planning committee, having been recommended for refusal by officials.
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Those proposals attracted more than 50,000 objections from members of the public, though opinion among people living in Balloch, and in Helensburgh and the wider area, was less unequivocal, with many welcoming the prospect of additional jobs in the area.
In a statement posted on social media the Save Loch Lomond campaign group said: “We will not give up the fight to #SaveLochLomond from those who are only interested in exploiting our land for private profit.
“It’s #OurLandOurLochLomond, not for sale or private profit.”
Last week’s announcement came just a few days before an “exclusivity agreement” between the government agency – which owns the land – and the tourism firm was due to expire.
Politicians including constituency MSP Jackie Baillie and the Scottish Greens’ Ross Greer had urged the government not to renew that agreement, and instead to work with the community on alternative plans.
Unsurprisingly, both said they were disappointed at the news.
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Ms Baillie said: “Most people are in agreement that some form of development on this site is needed, but the development must be in keeping with the local environment and the local tourism sector and, above all else, must have the backing of residents who will have to live with this development for decades to come.
“I had hoped that proposed plans for a community buy out would be considered and that the voice of local people would not be ignored.
“I will continue to stand with my community, and the businesses who will be negatively affected by Flamingo Land’s plans.”
Mr Greer added: “This is an outrage and will cause huge upset to the community. A public agency that ignores the wishes of the public is not fit for purpose.
“Flamingo Land’s destructive plans were the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history, with overwhelming local and national opposition.
“The developer clearly has no interest in what the local community actually wants or needs.
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“Scottish Enterprise owns this land and as a public body they are directly accountable to the Scottish Government.
“The community are exhausted by this saga but if forced to, they will continue to defend Loch Lomond’s world-famous natural environment from those only interested in exploiting it for profit.”
Scottish Enterprise director Allan McQuade insisted the announcement was “a really timely positive news story for the local economy”.
He added: “This development will bring much needed employment and investment to the area, while maintaining the integrity of the local environment.
“There were never any intentions to create a theme park and rumours to that effect were not based in fact, and the developers will continue to ensure that there is full consultation with the local community.
“Scottish Enterprise has a responsibility to bring quality jobs and economic opportunity, but also to sustainability, the fight against climate change and building places for communities.
“These factors are central to everything we do, and we look forward to seeing them play a huge part in the future development of Lomond Banks.”
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