LDRSDevelopers behind the plans to build a Flamingo Land near Loch Lomond has said “misinformation” is to blame for it’s recommended rejection.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority recommended that planning permission for the visitor and tourist complex should be refused on Monday.
It came after the £40m proposals, which includes a hotel, self-catering lodges and a swimming pool, were met with more than 150,000 objections lodged in a campaign portal set up by the Scottish Greens.
A report by the National Park Authority’s director of place said the proposal would result in a significant amount of development in an area of flood risk and would result in the removal and clearance of trees and woodland “without appropriate compensatory planting”.
They said it would not “deliver the required significant biodiversity enhancements that would support wider outcomes to tackle the nature and climate crises” as outlined in planning framework.
It also concluded that the scale of proposal is too big, bringing it into conflict with the site’s capacity for development.
Lomond Banks’ development director, Jim Paterson, has responded to the report saying that this isn’t the “end of the road” for the application and blamed “misinformation” for the decision.
“We can’t help but think the decision by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park authority this week, to recommend for refusal, has been heavily influenced by the constant misinformation that has been peddled by the various activists, parties and campaign groups,” he said.
The development has been dubbed “the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history” by the Greens.
The party has also called for an end to a deal between the theme park operator and Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency, if the resort is rejected.
Mr Paterson added they have stuck to the “facts and truth” surrounding their proposals and said the development had been “weaponised as a political football”.
“Labelled a ‘mega resort’ from the get-go and claims that it is the ‘most objected to development in Scottish history’ is based on an online Green Party petition that does not ask for proof of address or prevent multiple clicks,” he said.
He continued: “When you drill down to what this development is – it’s a sympathetic mix of hotels and woodland lodges and associated leisure facilities, utilising an area of West Riverside which has wrongly been quoted as ‘the last piece of land in public ownership around the banks of Loch Lomond’.
“No theme parks, no flamingos, but instead, a sustainable world-class destination that will help support Scotland’s tourism industry and job market for many years to come.
“Please be reminded, West Riverside was on the market and openly available for sale long before we became involved.”
Mr Paterson said that “every decision” taken throughout this process was carefully considered to try and balance the needs and requirements of the local community.
“We are all proud Scots who wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise our beautiful country,” he said.
“We have listened to the community, taken on board recommendations, significantly shaped and adjusted our plans and made legally binding promises to them that we have every intention of fulfilling.
“We remain committed to seeing the process through every step of the way. Ahead of the Board site visit and determination hearing on September 16, all we’re asking is to please see this development for what it actually is and not what it’s been hyped up to be.”
The decision on whether to approve or refuse the application for the development will be taken by the National Park Authority Board on September 16.
The National Park Authority will be holding a hearing and board meeting at Lomond Parish Church in Balloch due to the level of public interest in the proposal.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has been contacted for comment.
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