A report published ahead of the decision on the 'Lomond Banks' planning application recommends it is refused.

In a report published today planning officials recommend the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board refuse the application for planning permission in principle.

The documents by the parks Directors of Place are said to be published following a detailed assessment and consideration of key documents, policies and statutory requirements.

An online petition against the planning application that was started by the Scottish Greens reached 150,000 signatures last week.

The Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, proposes creating more than 100-holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called 'Lomond Banks'.

This report is a recommendation only and the decision on whether to approve or refuse the application for a proposed development at West Riverside and Woodbank House in Balloch will be taken by the National Park Authority Board on Monday, September 16.

The report makes conclusions on some important issues that campaigners have fought against.

It concludes the proposal would result in a significant amount of development that would be in an area of flood risk where no policy exceptions support it.

It would also result in the removal and clearance of trees and woodland without appropriate compensatory planting and would not deliver the required significant biodiversity enhancements that would support wider outcomes to tackle the nature and climate crises as outlined in National Planning Framework 4 and the National Park Partnership Plan.

The report says that following a detailed assessment, the scale of the proposal overall is considered to be in conflict with the site’s capacity for development. 

A site visit will take place on the morning of Monday, September 16 and will allow members to gain information on land and buildings relative to the proposed development.

The hearing and board meeting later that day will start at approximately 1.15pm in Lomond Parish Church in Balloch.

Anyone, or any organisation, that has submitted a formal representation on the application directly to the National Park Authority, before this report was published, will be notified and given details on how they can request to speak at the hearing.  

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “We are extremely disappointed with the recommendation made by the case officer. We believe we have met all technical criteria set out for the site in the Local Development Plan and have exceeded requirements in terms of our legally binding promises to the local community.

“We remain committed to our plans, which we believe would bring about huge benefits to the Balloch community and beyond. These include £40million of sustainable investment and jobs shaped by the feedback from key stakeholders.

“We would urge the National Park board to consider the many merits this application presents. “As this is a PPiP (Planning Permission in Principle), the next detailed planning stage gives ample opportunity to ensure all specific concerns relating to the development are met and acknowledged far in advance.”