Save Loch Lomond: Rally is a critical moment in blocking Flamingo Land
The Scottish Greens are urging campaigners to make their voice heard outside the Scottish Parliament today at 11am for a major rally opposing Flamingo Land’s destructive mega-resort plan on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Despite the National Park’s board unanimously rejecting the development after receiving objections from expert groups including environment watchdog SEPA as well as 155,000 individuals, the Scottish Government has approved an appeal by Flamingo Land, overturning the local decision and green-lighting their project.
The planned development is set to include 127 woodland lodges, two hotels, over 370 parking spaces, a water park, monorail and much more on a sensitive site by the loch shore at Balloch.
The campaign against Flamingo Land was spear-headed by Mr Greer, becoming the most objected to planning application in Scottish history, with over 155,000 individual objections, as well as those from groups including the Woodland Trust and National Trust for Scotland.
Since the Scottish Government’s decision, close to 45,000 people have emailed Scottish Government Ministers, calling on the decision to be recalled and reversed.,
Mr Greer said:
“The Scottish Government have thrown their backing behind Flamingo Land at the expense of the community and Scotland’s world famous natural environment. These plans would be tantamount to environmental and cultural vandalism and it is staggering that Government Ministers appear hell-bent on forcing this through. They are well aware of the flood risks, the massive increase in traffic and congestion, the contaminated land threat and loss of nature including ancient woodland, but don’t seem to care.
“Opposition to Flamingo Land’s proposal comes from expert organisations including the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the local community council and even the National Park’s own expert planning officers, alongside a record 155,00 of public complaints.
“The campaign to save Loch Lomond is at a critical stage. This rally at Parliament is an important opportunity to show the SNP the depth of public feeling on this. I urge everyone to come and make a stand against these outrageous plans. Campaigners can also continue to contact the Scottish Government directly using my e-action at greens.scot/LochLomond, which has close to 50,000 supporters already.
“Ministers have a choice: protect Scotland’s natural heritage or cave to developers looking to exploit it for a quick profit. We’re calling on everyone who loves Loch Lomond to stand with us.”
Want to support the Save Loch Lomond campaign? Sign this letter to Scottish Ministers here.
