Jackie Baillie 'welcomes' Flamingo Land plans being recalled
In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected by all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority.
However, last month, the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) gave notice that the reporter in charge of the case would allow the appeal for the Flamingo Land resort to be granted, subject to meeting a list of 49 conditions.
A caveat was also included that a binding legal agreement must be reached with Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority over an ancient woodland segment of the site.
READ MORE: Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled
Now, plans for the development at Lomond Banks have been recalled by the Scottish Government, with Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, saying the proposed development raises issues of 'national significance'.
Baillie previously raised "furious objections" to the plans.
The Scottish Labour deputy leader had cross-party backing for a motion set to go before the Holyrood chamber today, asking the Scottish Government to call in the application for ministerial decision before it was recalled.
She insists it is "about time" the decision was looked at.
Baillie said: "It's about time the Scottish Government backtracked and called this decision in for scrutiny.
"It was unacceptable to allow an unelected and unaccountable civil servant to take such a vital decision to prevent the Scottish Government from getting its hands dirty.
"There are matters of vital national planning policy at stake in this decision, which has also been widely condemned by the community.
"It's about time the Scottish Government started listening to local people and I am glad that my motion, which enjoyed cross party backing, has forced them to do so."
Organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Ramblers, and the Scottish Government environment watchdog, SEPA, also raised objections against the plans.
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