Flamingo Land appeal after land deal extended

Theme park operator Flamingo Land has submitted an appeal to the Scottish government after its plans for a £40m holiday resort next to Loch Lomond were twice rejected.

It comes after Scottish Enterprise was criticised for extending an exclusivity deal with the firm for a section of land at the loch - allowing the possibility of a further appeal.

The firm's proposals for its Lomond Banks resort include a monorail, waterpark, hotel and restaurants. The application for planning permission was denied for a second time in September.

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who has been a vocal critic of the plans, described the Scottish Enterprise decision as "bitterly disappointing".

And Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said residents in the West Dunbartonshire community did not want the development to go ahead.

The proposal previously sparked opposition over issues including flood risk, increased traffic and impact on local businesses - with more than 174,000 people signing a petition against it.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park authority board unanimously voted against the development, ruling that it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation policies.

But Scottish Enterprise has now announced the land deal extension to ensure "the full range of evidence and views are fully considered".

A spokeswoman added: "We believe this process should be allowed to run to its conclusion.

"Scottish Enterprise will therefore extend the conditional missive with the developer to allow any planning appeal to be considered."

The agency said it would continue to engage with Balloch and Haldane Community Council to see how it could support them while the process was ongoing.

But, citing commercial reasons, it declined to say when the deal is scheduled to run out.

Greer, who represents the West Scotland region at Holyrood, said: "This ridiculous company just doesn't know when to give up, and it is bitterly disappointing that the Scottish government are helping them in their attempts to ruin this special corner of Loch Lomond.

"Extending Flamingo Land's exclusive contract for the land means that an appeal is now all but certain, despite the overwhelming reasons for its rejection in the first place."

The MSP added he was "incredibly frustrated" about the contract and said it "should have been terminated years ago".

Dame Jackie Baillie, who has represented the Dumbarton constituency since 1999, said: "This was a unanimous decision of the Loch Lomond and National Park authority's board, following a very tense meeting, during which the feelings of the community were made clear.

"I am clear that there is significant opposition to this development in the community, for a variety of reasons."

She urged First Minister John Swinney to intervene and end the agreement.

Baillie added: "I am clear that the majority of the community do not wish this development to go ahead."

Jim Paterson, Flamingo Land's development director for Lomond Banks, said he hoped his company's appeal would see "the many benefits this development would bring" being "unlocked and brought to fruition".

He added that the final proposals for the site were adapted to "reflect more than two years of ongoing community engagement".

Mr Paterson said the resort would add £3.9m to the local economy.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "Scottish Ministers always consider the views of communities across many issues.

"But it is for Scottish Enterprise to look after its contractual arrangements."