Scottish Enterprise under fire after Flamingo Land’s Loch Lomond deal extended

The Scottish Government’s enterprise agency is under fire after it extended an exclusivity deal with theme park operator Flamingo Land for a section of land at Loch Lomond.

The firm – under the name Lomond Banks – proposed to build a water park, self-catering lodges and a hotel on the site, but the application for planning permission was refused for a second time earlier this year.

As part of a deal with Scottish Enterprise, the sale of the land is contingent on planning permissions being obtained ahead of time.

A long-running campaign against the development celebrated what it believed to be a final victory when it was rejected, but Scottish Enterprise announced on Friday it is extending the deal to allow for an appeal.

A spokeswoman for the agency said: “Scotland’s statutory planning process is designed to ensure that economic, environmental and community interests are all taken into account when an application is considered.

“That is why we opted to make any sale of the land at West Riverside subject to planning permission, ensuring that the full range of evidence and views are fully considered.

“We believe this process should be allowed to run to its conclusion. Scottish Enterprise will therefore extend the conditional missive with the developer to allow any planning appeal to be considered.

“We continue our engagement with Balloch and Haldane Community Council around their plans to see how we can support them while this process is ongoing.”

The agency refused to say when the deal is due to run out, citing commercial reasons.

The decision was attacked by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who was among the loudest voices campaigning against the proposed resort.

“This ridiculous company just doesn’t know when to give up, and it is bitterly disappointing that the Scottish Government are helping them in their attempts to ruin this special corner of Loch Lomond,” he said.

“Extending Flamingo Land’s exclusive contract for the land means that an appeal is now all but certain, despite the overwhelming reasons for its rejection in the first place.

“This greedy company just cannot take no for an answer.

“I am incredibly frustrated that the Scottish Government is enabling this saga through an exclusive contract which should have been terminated years ago. There are absolutely no grounds to approve the application on appeal.

“We have urged Flamingo Land to accept reality and get round the table to discuss alternatives, but they clearly have no interest in listening to the community.

“The Scottish Greens will continue our campaign and work alongside Balloch residents to ensure that these destructive plans are rejected once again.

“Exhausted as we all are after a decade of this nonsense, we are ready to fight once again to save Loch Lomond.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who has represented the nearby Dumbarton constituency since the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, said: “I am extremely disappointed by Scottish Enterprise’s decision to extend the exclusivity agreement to the West Riverside site, which will effectively enable Flamingo Land to lodge an appeal.

“This was a unanimous decision of the Loch Lomond and National Park Authority’s board, following a very tense meeting, during which the feelings of the community were made clear.

“I am clear that there is significant opposition to this development in the community, for a variety of reasons.

“It is because of the feeling in the community and within the area that I have represented for 25 years that I asked the First Minister to step in and end Scottish Enterprise’s agreement which ties Flamingo Land to the site.

“Unfortunately, as is often the case with the Scottish Government, these pleas fell on deaf ears.

“I am clear that the majority of the community do not wish this development to go ahead.”

The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.

Flamingo Land did not wish to comment.