JOHN Swinney has been urged to intervene and scrap plans to build a multi-million pound resort and water park development on the banks of Loch Lomond.
During a fiery First Minister’s Questions (FMQs), in which ex-Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was expelled, the SNP leader was questioned over the controversial Flamingo Land plans.
In September 2024, Flamingo Land Ltd had its planning permission in principle for the multi-million-pound water park rejected by all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority.
But after the Scottish Government reporter’s decision earlier this month, Flamingo Land will be allowed to proceed to the next stage of planning and scrutiny and reach an agreement with the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority.
Ivan McKee, minister for public finance, has since said the Scottish Government has “no intention” of stepping in.
The Scottish Greens have long opposed the plans, with co-leader Patrick Harvie condemning the lack of action from ministers.
“Outside Parliament today, people gathered to express their anger at the Scottish Government's intention to approve a resort development by Flamingo Land on the shores of Loch Lomond,” Harvie (below) said.
“It's been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland, by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, by over 155,000 people, and it was rejected unanimously by the National Park.”
He added: “It's the most unpopular development in the history of the Scottish planning system.
“Now, I know the First Minister is about to tell us that he can't comment on a specific appeal. But his minister has already made a political decision. It took Ivan McKee just 2 working days to announce his refusal to act in the public interest and recall the appeal, so he and the First Minister have to be accountable for that now.
“There is still a chance we can save Loch Lomond. This decision isn't set in stone, so will the First Minister listen to all those who have been objecting for years and put the natural environment ahead of corporate profit and recall this decision?
“As Mr Harvie has indicated, as the appeal remains live, members have to understand that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the proposal.
“I am aware that the reporter has issued a notice of intention to allow the appeal and to grant planning permission in principle, subject to 49 planning conditions and the reaching of a legal agreement, including the Lomond Promise, with a commitment to community benefits and fair work.
“The reporter is required to make his decision on the planning merits of the case and to take full account of all submissions made by the parties involved in this case, including representations from members of the local community.”
The First Minister was also scrutinised by Anas Sarwar (below) over NHS waiting lists.
The Scottish Labour leader was speaking days after figures showed the number of people waiting two years for outpatient treatment was at the highest level on record.
Statistics released on Tuesday showed 5262 people were waiting for more than two years for a procedure at the end of March this year.
They also showed 63,406 people were waiting more than 12 months.
Responding to Sarwar when pressed on the issue, John Swinney said: “I recognise the significant impact of long waits on individual patients, and I apologise to everybody who’s affected by those long waits.
“It’s why the tackling of long waits is central to the Government’s plans to deliver the improvements in the National Health Service that are required.”
But he also took aim at the UK Government’s new approach to immigration.
“Anyone looking at the details of what's been set out by the UK Government and turning off the ability of us being able to attract international workers will realise that that's a very damaging blow to our health service,” he told MSPs.
“Because our health service, and I saw data from Scottish Care, for example, about social care, is heavily dependent on international workers. And if the UK Government decides to turn off the ability of the Scottish Health Service to attract international workers, it will make our challenge to address the waiting time ever more difficult as a consequence.”
