Bannockburn: Ministers must take same approach to protect Loch Lomond
Scottish Government Ministers have used their power to reject a planning application for a horse racing track on the site of the battle of Bannockburn, just days after refusing to do the same with the destructive Flamingo Land mega-resort development at Loch Lomond.
The Scottish Greens have welcomed the decision to throw out proposals to build a racing track on one of Scotland's most important historic sites, but have pointed out the hypocrisy from Scottish Government Ministers who last week refused to step in and reject Flamingo Land’s sprawling resort plans for another world-famous location.
In response to a question about the Loch Lomond application on 22nd May, Planning Minister Ivan Mckee said: “Given the very technical planning issues that are raised in this case and the high level of public interest, I consider that it is appropriate that objective planning judgment is applied. For that reason, I do not intend to recall this appeal.”
First Minister John Swinney has also refused calls for him to recall and reject the application made by the Scottish Greens, conservation groups and Balloch residents.
Flamingo Land’s plans had been rejected by the board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park last September following objections being lodged by the Woodland Trust, Ramblers, National Trust for Scotland, national environment watchdog SEPA and by a record 155,000 objectors, in a campaign spear-headed by Green MSP Ross Greer.
The Yorkshire theme park operator made an appeal against this decision and two weeks ago a Scottish Government official upheld the appeal, granting permission for the mega-resort to go ahead.
SNP Ministers have used their powers over the planning process on a number of previous occasions, including to force through the construction of Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course despite it initially being rejected by the local council and strongly opposed by local residents.
Mr Greer said:
“Whilst the Bannockburn decision is welcome, it reeks of hypocrisy from a Scottish Government who just last week refused to do the same with Flamingo Land’s destructive plans. That’s despite their damaging mega-resort being at the gateway to our world famous National Park.
“The Planning Minister needs to explain why he was willing to protect Bannockburn, but not the incredible natural heritage of Loch Lomond.
“Over 50,000 people have now written to Ivan McKee, calling on him to recall and reject the Flamingo Land development. It’s time for the SNP to stand up for Scotland’s incredible natural heritage, rather than cave in to a greedy theme park operator.”
