By Democrat reporter
Fuming MSP Jackie Baillie has blasted Scottish Enterprise bosses after they revealed they will not cut ties with controversial Loch Lomond development plans.
The continuing association paves the way for Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land to appeal against Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority’s decision to refuse permission for their proposed £40 million Lomond Banks development in Balloch.
The Scottish Government-backed enterprise agency revealed today that it would extend the deal to allow time for the operator to appeal against the refusal decision.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie, who spoke out at the planning meeting in Balloch’s White Church, said: “I am extremely disappointed by Scottish Enterprise’s decision to extend the exclusivity agreement to the West Riverside site, which will effectively enable Flamingo Land to lodge an appeal.
“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.
“It is because of the feeling in the community and within the area that I have represented for 25 years, that I asked the First Minister to step in and end Scottish Enterprise’s agreement which ties Flamingo Land to the site.
“Unfortunately, as is often the case with the Scottish Government, these pleas fell on deaf ears.
“I am clear that the majority of the community do not wish this development to go ahead.”
Flamingo Land launched a 2018 bid to create a tourist development, including a hotel, craft brewery and leisure facilities at the West Riverside site.
But the move attracted strong opposition and it was pulled before the applicant returned in 2020 with fresh plans for a £40 million complex, comprising hotel, lodges, restaurants and monorail.
The plan was mothballed by Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority’s board during an epic meeting in September.
Jackie Baillie called on First Minister, John Swinney, to step in and end Flamingo Land’s tie to the site in the wake of the decision and urged government agency Scottish Enterprise to listen to the views of the community and terminate the bid.
Had the exclusivity agreement been ended, it would have ended Flamingo Land’s association and closed the door on any possible appeal.
The deadline for appeal to the Scottish Government over the planning knockback passed on December 16th.
Nick Kempe, the Parkswatch Scotland commentator who also writes for The Dumbarton Democrat predicted here that the matter would not finish despite the planning permission refusal.
He said the Park Authority had naively left the door open for Flamingo Land to come back with an appeal – and now they have.