Local businesses in and around Balloch must play a key role in the fresh Flamingo Land plans which are set to be consulted on.
That’s according to Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Damon Scott.
He is urging business owners in the area to get involved as developers get set to ask for opinions on the development.
Damon told the Lennox Herald: “Priority areas for the Chamber are to support our local businesses, help build our local economies and support the development of skills and employment opportunities for our young people.
“As the plans for Lomond Banks develop we would be keen to ensure the businesses in the area are involved in the process and made aware of the updated plans, benefits and opportunities.
“The Chamber stands ready to work with our partners and stakeholders to facilitate this engagement to ensure there is an input from private enterprises as well as looking at how skills and jobs can be supported.”
Last week, we told how two rounds of public consultation will take place in September and November ahead of the formal planning application being lodged.
Fiona Robertson, of Streets-UK, has been appointed community engagement lead, with bosses saying she will work closely with communities and businesses to help shape the consultation and proposals.
Original plans for the so-called Lomond Banks development were scrapped in 2019 after planners at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park recommended they be rejected.
It emerged last December that the company would bring fresh proposals to the table but have yet to reveal the revised details.
Conservative councillor Sally Page who represents the Balloch area is concerned.
She told us: “The restyled proposal looks like it will still raise the same concerns locally as the previous application. Reading the press release about the community engagement officer, it would appear that this proposal is very much about supporting the Lomond Shores shopping outlet which Scottish Enterprise have said is not a commercial success.
“Employment opportunities are currently on offer locally with Cameron House still looking to fill 50 vacancies.”
She previously lodged a motion with West Dunbartonshire Council asking the authority to assess the application against its climate change aspirations for development to be sustainable.
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