Save Loch Lomond: 50,000 people write to Planning Minister
Scottish Green MSP and Save Loch Lomond campaigner Ross Greer has called on the Scottish Government’s Planning Minister to “listen to the Scottish public, not a millionaire theme park operator”. This comes as over 50,000 people write to Ivan McKee in just two weeks, demanding that the Scottish Government withdraw its approval for Flamingo Land’s Loch Lomond mega-resort application.
Using a portal on the Scottish Greens website, over 50,000 people have now called on the Planning Minister to stop the controversial Flamingo Land proposals to build a mega-resort on the banks of Loch Lomond, including a waterpark, two hotels, over 100 woodland lodges, 370 parking spaces, a monorail and more.
The planning application is the most opposed in Scottish planning history, with over 155,000 individuals lodging objections ahead of a public hearing last September, alongside organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Ramblers, and Scottish Government environment watchdog, SEPA.
Despite the National Park’s board rejecting the application unanimously, a Scottish Government official overturned that decision on appeal.
Both the Planning Minister and First Minister have refused to use their powers to recall and reject the application, effectively giving Flamingo Land a clear path to proceed with their destructive plans. However, SNP Ministers have just used their powers to block the development of a horse racing track on the site of the battle of Bannockburn due to its historical significance.
Mr Greer said:
“The Scottish Government has got this badly wrong. They are about to allow a greedy developer to trash the gateway to our National Park. It is not too late for a u-turn though. They can still save Loch Lomond.
"In just two weeks the Planning Minister has heard directly from over 50,000 people calling on him to block these proposals. Public opinion couldn't be clearer and it is backed up by experts including the Government’s own environment watchdog.
“I have campaigned side by side with local residents in Balloch for nearly ten years now to stop Flamingo Land. At every stage we have won on the basis of the overwhelming evidence against their plans, but that has all now been overturned by the Scottish Government.
“I do not understand why the Scottish Government are determined to cosy up to greedy theme park operators rather than protect Scotland’s world famous natural heritage.
“It’s time for Government Ministers to actually listen to the people of Scotland and save Loch Lomond.”
Mr Greer added:
“Thank you to everyone who has yet again taken the time to object to this destructive mega-resort. Together we can stop Flamingo Land. Please continue to share greens.scot/LochLomond with friends and family to ensure the Scottish Government hears how much the public expect them to u-turn and reject these destructive plans."
