A PROJECT that would see a huge resort on the beauty spot of Loch Lomond has been appealed after ministers dismissed objections.
This is despite a campaign by the Scottish Greens to “Save Loch Lomond” after over 150,000 people objected to similar Flamingo Land plans last year.
Ministers have not intervened in the planning process, meaning that the £40m development may go ahead.
Flamingo Land would involve two hotels, a waterpark, over 100 lodges and a monorail.
The developer, Lomond Banks, which is owned by the Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land, appealed the original decision by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority to reject the development.
This was due to environmental rules and concerns that it could put some areas at risk of flooding.
The Scottish Greens have criticised the planning minister’s decision not to recall an appeal submitted by the Flamingo Land developer, saying that the park would cause “irreversible damage to Scotland’s world-famous natural environment”.
Save Loch Lomond campaigner and Scottish Green MP for West Scotland, Ross Greer said: “This cowardly decision by Scottish Ministers is a hammer blow to Loch Lomond and the community in Balloch.
“They have the power to intervene and stop Flamingo Land’s destructive mega-resort from going ahead, but will not do so.
“Ministers were happy to step in when it helped an American billionaire trash the Menie dunes for the sake of a golf course, but when it comes to protecting our world-famous natural environment, they refuse to act.
“The Flamingo Land application was opposed by experts, including the Scottish Government’s own environment watchdog and the National Park’s planning team.
“It flies in the face of our efforts to tackle the climate and nature crisis and would heap more misery on local residents with the huge amount of additional traffic it would cause.”
Lomond Banks has been contacted for comment.
