Flamingo Land have renewed their plans for a tourism development on Loch Lomond which they say will create hundreds of jobs and pump millions of pounds into the area.
Scottish Enterprise has been in talks with Lomond Banks, a subsidiary of the Yorkshire tourism firm since the withdrawal of a previous planning application in September 2019 for the redevelopment of the brownfield site adjoining the River Leven at Balloch.
Refreshed plans for the riverside destination will be drawn up to bring up to 200 tourism and hospitality jobs once the site is complete, as well as significant numbers in the construction phase.
The economic development agency say the intention is to have visitor accommodation and walkways sympathetic to the local environment, with public access maintained throughout the site.
Scottish Enterprise’s Allan McQuade said: “The plans for Lomond Banks present a really timely positive news story for the local economy but also for tourism in Scotland, both of which have
suffered hugely as a result of the pandemic.
“This development will bring much needed employment and investment to the area, while maintaining the integrity of the local environment.”
VisitScotland’s Regional Leadership Director (West), Jim Clarkson, added: “Tourism is a force for good and has a part to play in not just providing jobs and economic benefits
to every corner of Scotland but also bringing benefits to wellbeing and society, both vitally important following the impact of the pandemic.”
The plans were blasted by West of Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer who has campaigned against plans calling the latest development an outrage.
The original proposal split the communities of Balloch, the Vale and Dumbarton.
Over 57,000 objections to the original proposals were lodged via the Scottish Greens, contributing to over 60,000 objections lodged in total.
Mr Greer said: “This is an outrage and will cause huge upset to the community in Balloch. 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 has consistently acted in bad faith and clearly has no interest in what the local community actually wants or needs. Scottish Enterprise owns this land and as a public body they are directly accountable to the Scottish Government through the Economy Secretary, Fiona Hyslop.”
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