FMQ: SNP must recall destructive Flamingo Land appeal
The First Minister must listen to objections against Flamingo Land’s development in Loch Lomond and overturn his Government’s decision to accept the mega-resort’s latest appeal, says Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Harvie urged the SNP to listen to campaigners and the local community and take action to stop this destructive development in the iconic national park.
Prior to FMQs, campaigners met at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament today to express their anger and stand together to save Loch Lomond.
In his first question to the First Minister, Mr Harvie said:
“Outside Parliament today, many people have gathered to express their anger at the Scottish Government’s intention to approve a resort development, by Flamingo Land, on the shores of Loch Lomond.
“It’s been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland; by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; and by over 155,000 people; and rejected unanimously by the National Park.
“It’s the most unpopular development in the history of the Scottish planning system.
“I know the First Minister will tell us that he can’t comment on a specific appeal.
“But his Minister has already made a political decision - it took Ivan McKee just two working days to announce his refusal to act in the public interest and recall the appeal.“He, and the First Minister, have to be accountable for that now.
“There’s still a chance we can save Loch Lomond - this decision isn’t yet set in stone.
“So - will the First Minister listen to all those that have been objecting for years, put the natural environment ahead of corporate profit, and recall the decision?”
First Minister John Swinney would not comment in detail on the proposal as the Flamingo Land appeal is still live, but gave no indication that he was willing to recall the decision.
In his second question, Mr Harvie asked:
“I don’t think the First Minister is even attempting to acknowledge the scale of the anger - demonstrated by the people outside Parliament today and more than 44,000 people who have already written to the Minister - that anger is a result of this unnecessary, unwanted and destructive development.
“But it’s not the first time this First Minister has defended that kind of development.
“In 2007, when John Swinney had been in government for less than a year, he overturned a local planning decision to approve another controversial, environmentally destructive project from a greedy, bullying developer.
“That, of course, was to give Donald Trump his golf course. And even Trump’s project director from those days has made it clear that the Government was hoodwinked.
“This isn't standing up for Scotland. Did the First Minister learn nothing from his mistake, and why is he still willing to back greedy developers who can’t look at a landscape without seeing an opportunity to bulldoze it for profit?”
