by Bill Heaney
MSP Jackie Baillie has blasted the Scottish Government for failing to reveal when a decision on the controversial Flamingo Land development is likely.
The local politician quizzed Holyrood’s SNP administration as to when a verdict on the Lomond Banks site at Balloch, will be delivered.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie and Government planning minister Ivan McKee.
But the Scottish Government’s Planning Minister, Ivan McKee, ruled out saying when a decision is expected and instead would only confirm that a decision will be issued “as soon as possible”.
He also confirmed that Ministers have not sought any further information in relation to the development and have not held any meetings with the developer or their representatives.
The information was revealed after Dumbarton MSP Jackie submitted written Parliamentary Questions in relation to the proposed resort.
The Scottish Government’s Planning Reporter gave the greenlight to the controversial Loch Lomond development in May, subject to 49 conditions.
Scottish Ministers initially refused to bow to appeals to call the decision in for scrutiny following backlash over the Reporter’s decision but eventually performed a U-turn at the eleventh hour, ahead of facing defeat in a June debate initiated by Jackie in Holyrood – which had attracted cross-party support.
Information provided by the Scottish Government also shows that other developments referred for consideration and subject to public hearings have taken longer to reach decision than the Flamingo Land development.
MSP Jackie Baillie, said: “There has been, and remains, a huge degree of opposition to the Lomond Banks development in our communities – which stand to be directly affected by it.
“The SNP Scottish Government has showed disdain for these communities by refusing to listen to their views and the opinions of our National Park Authority – who rejected this development.
“It is the wrong development for the area and the Scottish Government had to be forced into calling the Reporter’s decision in for scrutiny.
“Now it looks as if this is being taken as a fait accompli and the decision to call it in is only to pay lip service to these communities and opposition politicians.
“No further information has been requested by the Scottish Government and a decision on matters of national planning importance looks like it will be waved through.
“This is a poor show from the SNP Scottish Government, although no real surprise given their record.”