Flamingo Land resort approved by SNP Government as critics blast "anti-democratic outrage"
The decision by the SNP Government has sparked outrage among critics of the £40m plan.
The SNP Government has been accused of an "anti-democratic outrage" after approving Flamingo Land's controversial proposals for a mega resort on the banks of Loch Lomond.
A Yorkshire-based theme park operator had their planning permission in principle rejected last year by the Trossachs Planning Authority.
But a report released by the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has given notice that the reporter in charge of the case is minded to allow their appeal.
Supporters say £40m proposals could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces and shops.
But critics say the report will cause irreversible damage to the local environment.
Green MSP Ross Greer said: 'This is an anti-democratic outrage. I cannot believe that Flamingo Land's destructive and immensely unpopular mega-resort is being given the go-ahead by Government officials. It was the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and will cause irreversible damage to the world-famous local environment at Loch Lomond.
'Their destructive plans were unanimously rejected by the National Park's board, opposed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Park's expert planning officers and 155,000 people who joined our Save Loch Lomond campaign.
'This greedy developer would not take no for an answer and I am shocked that Government officials have put Flamingo Land's interests above the need to protect Loch Lomond.
'We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.'
Over 400 reasons were provided why the reporter is minded to grant the appeal.
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